# Cosmos 1012
**Wikidata**: [Q12907260](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907260)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1012

## Summary
Cosmos 1012 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on May 25, 1978. As a specific instance of the Zenit 2M class, it was utilized for reconnaissance purposes and was delivered into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 1012 is an instance of the **Zenit 2M**, a class of Soviet spy satellite.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on **May 25, 1978**.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international designator is **1978-054A**.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled by a **Soyuz-U** rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
- **Launch Site:** The launch took place at **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43**.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) **10919**.
- **Launch Time:** The significant event (rocket launch) occurred at **14:30:00** on the date of launch.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as **Kosmos 1012**.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1012?
A: Cosmos 1012 was a Soviet spy satellite belonging to the Zenit 2M class. It was designed for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.

### Q: When was Cosmos 1012 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on May 25, 1978, at 14:30:00.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1012?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket family.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1012 represents a specific data point in the history of the Cold War-era space race, exemplifying the Soviet Union's extensive reliance on satellite reconnaissance during the late 1970s. As part of the "Cosmos" series—a designation used to mask the true nature of Soviet military satellites—it illustrates the operational secrecy surrounding Soviet space capabilities. The mission highlights the heavy utilization of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and the reliability of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, which served as the workhorse for the Soviet military and space programs. By analyzing entities like Cosmos 1012, historians and analysts can better understand the launch cadence, technological evolution (specifically the transition to Zenit 2M variants), and logistical patterns of Soviet space surveillance.

## Notable For
- Being a distinct unit of the **Zenit 2M** class of spy satellites.
- Launching from the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43**, a primary launch facility for military satellites.
- Utilizing the **Soyuz-U** rocket, one of the most frequently used launch systems in history.
- Serving as an example of the **"Cosmos" designation program**, which provided cover for Soviet military space missions.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Classification
Cosmos 1012 was officially designated as a **Zenit 2M** satellite. This classification identifies it as a Soviet-era spy satellite, a type of spacecraft systematically named "Cosmos" to obscure their military reconnaissance function. In international catalogs, it is identified by the **COSPAR ID 1978-054A** and the **Satellite Catalog Number 10919**.

### Launch Details
The satellite's journey to orbit began at the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43**. The launch was executed on **May 25, 1978**, precisely at **14:30:00**.

The launch vehicle responsible for placing Cosmos 1012 into orbit was the **Soyuz-U**. This rocket is described as a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design, a system widely employed by the Soviet Union for both crewed and uncrewed missions.

### Data and Identifiers
The entity is recorded in various databases under specific identifiers and has limited multilingual presence. Key identifiers include:
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "10919"]`
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1012
- **Wikipedia Presence:** The satellite has sitelinks in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr), reflecting regional documentation of space history.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report