Zenit-C was a sounding rocket developed by Oerlikon Contraves (today Rheinmetall Air Defence) in Switzerland.
Propelled by a solid-propellant engine which supplied a thrust between 45 kN at launch and 22 kN in flight, the Zenit could carry a payload of 25 kilograms to a height of 210 km or a payload of 130 kilograms to a height of 115 km.
At its maiden flight on October 27, 1967, at Salto di Quirra the Zenit topped 145 km.
The Zenit was later launched only twice — once on July 30, 1971, at Salto di Quirra with a British Cuckoo rocket as a starting stage and once on December 13, 1973, at Andøya likewise with a "Cuckoo" starting stage.
Oerlikon used the knowledge from the Ground to Air Missile RSE Kriens for the Zenit.