| Kosmos 52 | |
| Names List: | Zenit 2-25 |
| Mission Type: | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
| Operator: | OKB-1 |
| Cospar Id: | 1965-001A |
| Satcat: | 968 |
| Mission Duration: | 8 days |
| Spacecraft Type: | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer: | OKB-1 |
| Launch Mass: | 4730 kg[1] |
| Launch Date: | 11 January 1965 09:36:00 GMT |
| Launch Rocket: | Vostok-2 |
| Launch Site: | Baikonur 31/6 |
| Launch Contractor: | OKB-1 |
| Disposal Type: | Recovered |
| Landing Date: | 19 January 1965 |
| Orbit Epoch: | 11 January 1965 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric[2] |
| Orbit Regime: | Low Earth |
| Orbit Periapsis: | 203 km |
| Orbit Apoapsis: | 298 km |
| Orbit Inclination: | 65.0° |
| Orbit Period: | 89.5 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Programme: | Zenit programme Zenit-2 |
| Previous Mission: | Zenit 2-24 |
| Next Mission: | Zenit 2-26 |
| Programme2: | Kosmos (satellites) |
| Previous Mission2: | Kosmos 51 |
| Next Mission2: | Kosmos 53 |
Kosmos 52 (ru|Космос 52 meaning Cosmos 52) or Zenit-2 No.25 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1965. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 52 was the twenty-fifth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[3] and had a mass of 4730kg (10,430lb).
Kosmos 52 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number R15002-03,[4] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 09:36 GMT on 11 January 1965,[5] with the spacecraft receiving its Kosmos designation - along with the International Designator 1965-001A and the Satellite Catalog Number 00968 - upon its successful insertion into orbit. It was the first satellite to be launched in the year 1965.
Kosmos 52 was operated in a low Earth orbit. On 11 January 1965 it had a perigee of 203km (126miles), an apogee of 298km (185miles), an inclination of 65.0° and an orbital period of 89.5 minutes.[6] On 19 January 1965, eight days after launch, Kosmos 52 was deorbited so that its return capsule could be recovered by Soviet forces and its photos developed and analysed.[7]