Kosmos 48 (Russian: Космос 48, romanized: Cosmos 48), also referred to as Zenit-2 No.23, was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1964.

A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 48 was the twenty-third of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[3] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).

Kosmos 48 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number R15002-01,[4] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Midway through its planned reconnaissance mission, the thermal control system malfunctioned, with the temperature inside the spacecraft's pressurised capsule increasing to 43 °C.

[5] The return capsule, containing the cameras and film, was successfully recovered by parachute for recovery by Soviet forces.