# Cosmos 1142
**Wikidata**: [Q12753127](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753127)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1142

## Summary  
Cosmos 1142 (also known as Kosmos 1142) was a Soviet spy satellite launched in 1979 as part of the Zenit 6U program. It was designed for reconnaissance missions and launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The satellite is cataloged under the COSPAR ID 1979-092A and the US Space Command satellite catalog number 11592.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: October 22, 1979, at 12:30 UTC.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U, a variant of the Soyuz rocket family.  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, a major Soviet/Russian spaceport.  
- **Mission Type**: Reconnaissance (spy satellite), classified under the Zenit 6U program.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1979-092A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 11592.  
- **Alternative Name**: Kosmos 1142 (Cyrillic spelling).  
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome on October 22, 1979.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1142?  
A: Cosmos 1142 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite, part of the Zenit 6U program, designed for military or intelligence-gathering missions.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 1142 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, a key Soviet/Russian launch facility.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1142?  
A: The Soyuz-U rocket, a Universal variant of the Soyuz design, was used for the launch.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1142 represents a critical component of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space reconnaissance efforts. As part of the Zenit 6U program, it contributed to the USSR's ability to monitor global military activities, providing strategic intelligence. The use of the Soyuz-U rocket, a reliable and versatile launch vehicle, underscores the technological capabilities of the Soviet space program. This mission also highlights the importance of Plesetsk Cosmodrome as a launch site for military and scientific payloads. Understanding such missions helps contextualize the broader geopolitical and technological competition of the late 20th century.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Reconnaissance**: Part of the Zenit 6U program, a key Soviet spy satellite initiative.  
- **Soyuz-U Launch**: Demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-U rocket for military payloads.  
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**: Launched from a historically significant Soviet/Russian spaceport.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: October 22, 1979.  
- **Time**: 12:30 UTC.  
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Program**: Zenit 6U, a class of Soviet reconnaissance satellites.  
- **Catalog Numbers**:  
  - COSPAR ID: 1979-092A.  
  - US Space Command catalog number: 11592.  

### Launch Vehicle  
- **Rocket**: Soyuz-U, a Universal variant of the Soyuz family.  
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union.  

### Mission Context  
- **Purpose**: Military reconnaissance, likely imaging or signals intelligence.  
- **Historical Significance**: Part of Cold War-era space-based surveillance efforts.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report