NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1972-045A
Cosmos 496 was an unmanned spacecraft launched to test an improved model of the Soyuz spacecraft. In particular the spacecraft was designed to test new equipment and safety features incorporated into Soyuz since the flight of Soyuz 11, the three-man crew of which was found dead by recovery personnel after an apparently normal re-entry and recovery. Cosmos 496 was launched on June 26, 1972 and successfully re-entered the earth's atmosphere six days later, paving the way for future USSR manned space flight.
Launch Date: 1972-06-26
Launch Vehicle: Soyuz
Launch Site: Tyuratam (Baikonur Cosmodrome), U.S.S.R
Mass: 6570 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office