# Cosmos 1166
**Wikidata**: [Q12753138](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753138)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1166

## Summary
Cosmos 1166 is a Soviet spy satellite launched on March 4, 1980, as part of the Zenit 6U reconnaissance program. It was placed into orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle. The satellite is identified in international catalogs as SCN 11722 and COSPAR ID 1980-020A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Zenit 6U Soviet spy satellite
- **Launch Date:** March 4, 1980
- **Launch Time:** 10:30:00 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal variant)
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 11722
- **COSPAR ID:** 1980-020A
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1166

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Cosmos 1166?
A: Cosmos 1166 was a reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit 6U class. It was operated by the Soviet Union for military intelligence-gathering purposes.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1166 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on March 4, 1980, at 10:30:00 UTC. The launch took place from Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

### Q: What type of rocket was used to deploy Cosmos 1166?
A: Cosmos 1166 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket. This "Universal" variant is a specific design iteration of the standard Soyuz rocket family.

### Q: How is Cosmos 1166 identified in satellite databases?
A: It is officially cataloged as SCN 11722 and COSPAR ID 1980-020A. In the Wolfram Language, it is identified by the entity code Entity["Satellite", "11722"].

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1166 represents a specific operational instance of the Soviet Union's Zenit 6U reconnaissance program during the Cold War. As a spy satellite, it was part of a critical infrastructure used for space-based surveillance. Its launch highlights the strategic importance of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome as a primary site for military payloads and the reliability of the Soyuz-U "Universal" rocket variant, which served as a workhorse for the Soviet space program. While specific mission objectives for individual Zenit satellites were often classified, the existence of Cosmos 1166 provides historical data on the frequency and technical execution of Soviet orbital reconnaissance missions in the early 1980s.

## Notable For
- **Zenit 6U Class:** It is a specific instance of the Zenit 6U series of Soviet spy satellites.
- **Soyuz-U Launch:** Utilized the "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket for its orbital insertion.
- **Plesetsk Deployment:** Launched from Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a key Soviet military spaceport.
- **Multilingual Documentation:** Information regarding the satellite is maintained in several languages, including Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
Cosmos 1166, also referred to as Kosmos 1166, was a Soviet military satellite. It is classified as an instance of the Zenit 6U class, which was a lineage of reconnaissance satellites designed for intelligence gathering. The satellite was an official project of the Soviet Union.

### Launch Operations
The launch of Cosmos 1166 occurred on March 4, 1980. The event was recorded at 10:30:00 UTC. The mission utilized the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically Site 43/4, as its starting point. The launch vehicle for this mission was the Soyuz-U, a "Universal" design variant of the Soyuz rocket family.

### Technical Identification
The satellite is tracked and identified through several international and technical systems:
*   **SCN:** 11722
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1980-020A
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "11722"]

### Historical Context
As a Zenit 6U satellite, Cosmos 1166 was part of a broader Soviet effort to maintain orbital surveillance capabilities. Its launch in 1980 places it in the late Cold War era, contributing to the historical record of Soviet space-based military activity. The satellite's data is preserved in various international academic and satellite tracking sources, including references to its significant launch event and technical specifications.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report