| Kosmos 78 | |
| Names List: | Zenit 2-30 |
| Mission Type: | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
| Operator: | OKB-1 |
| Cospar Id: | 1965-066A |
| Satcat: | 1505 |
| Spacecraft Type: | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer: | OKB-1 |
| Launch Mass: | 4730 kg[1] |
| Launch Date: | 14 August 1965 11:17:00 GMT[2] |
| Launch Rocket: | Vostok-2 |
| Launch Site: | Baikonur 31/6 |
| Launch Contractor: | OKB-1 |
| Disposal Type: | Recovered |
| Landing Date: | 22 August 1965 |
| Orbit Epoch: | 14 August 1965 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric[3] |
| Orbit Regime: | Low Earth |
| Orbit Periapsis: | 218 km |
| Orbit Apoapsis: | 298 km |
| Orbit Inclination: | 69.0° |
| Orbit Period: | 89.9 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Programme: | Zenit programme Zenit-2 |
| Previous Mission: | Zenit 2-29 |
| Next Mission: | Zenit 2-31 |
| Programme2: | Kosmos (satellites) |
| Previous Mission2: | Kosmos 77 |
| Next Mission2: | Kosmos 79 |
Kosmos 78 (Russian: link=no|translit=Cosmos 78|Космос 78) or Zenit-2 No.30 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1965. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 78 was the thirtieth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[4] [5] and had a mass of 4730kg (10,430lb).
Kosmos 78 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number U15001-02,[6] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 11:17 GMT on 14 August 1965, and following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1965-066A and the Satellite Catalog Number 01505.
Kosmos 78 was operated in a low Earth orbit; at an epoch of 14 August 1965, it had a perigee of 218km (135miles), an apogee of 298km (185miles), an inclination of 69.0° and an orbital period of 89.9 minutes. On 22 August 1965, after eight days of operation the satellite was deorbited, with its return capsule descending by parachute for recovery by Soviet force.[7]