# Cosmos 1176
**Wikidata**: [Q12907317](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907317)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1176

## Summary
Cosmos 1176 was a Soviet nuclear-powered surveillance satellite, part of the US-A series, launched on April 29, 1980. It was designed for ocean reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering using radar systems powered by a nuclear reactor. The satellite was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Tsyklon-2 rocket.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 1176
- Alternate name: Kosmos 1176
- COSPAR ID: 1980-034A
- Launched on: April 29, 1980
- Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90
- Launch vehicle: Tsyklon-2
- Satellite class: US-A (Soviet nuclear-powered surveillance satellites)
- SCN (Space Command Number): 11788
- Significant event: Rocket launch at 11:40 UTC on April 29, 1980
- Wikipedia languages: Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1176?
A: Cosmos 1176 was a Soviet ocean surveillance satellite designed to monitor naval activity using nuclear-powered radar systems. It belonged to the US-A program, which focused on tracking surface vessels across global waters.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1176 launched?
A: Cosmos 1176 was launched on April 29, 1980, at 11:40 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90 in Kazakhstan. It was deployed using a Tsyklon-2 launch vehicle.

### Q: How was Cosmos 1176 powered?
A: Cosmos 1176 used a nuclear reactor as its power source to operate its radar-based ocean surveillance equipment. This allowed extended mission durations compared to solar-powered satellites.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1176 represents a key component of the Cold War-era space-based military infrastructure developed by the Soviet Union. As part of the US-A satellite program, it contributed to strategic intelligence capabilities by enabling continuous monitoring of maritime movements, particularly those of NATO naval forces. Its use of nuclear power marked a significant technological approach to overcoming limitations in energy supply for long-duration missions in Earth orbit. These satellites played a vital role in shaping Soviet naval strategy and maintaining situational awareness during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.

## Notable For
- Being part of the classified US-A series of nuclear-powered ocean surveillance satellites
- Utilizing a nuclear reactor for sustained operation of active radar systems
- Launching via the reliable Tsyklon-2 rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome
- Contributing to Soviet maritime reconnaissance during the height of the Cold War
- Representing advanced Soviet space technology in dual-use (civilian/military) applications

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1176 was one of several satellites in the Soviet Union's US-A program, specifically designed for detecting and tracking naval vessels through synthetic aperture radar. These satellites were placed into low Earth orbit to conduct persistent surveillance over large oceanic areas.

### Technical Specifications
- Space Command Number (SCN): 11788
- Designation alias: Kosmos 1176
- Power source: Nuclear reactor (likely TOPAZ-class thermionic converter)
- Payload type: Active radar system for ocean surveillance
- Orbit regime: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **April 29, 1980**, at **11:40 UTC** from **Launch Site 90** at the **Baikonur Cosmodrome**. The launch utilized the **Tsyklon-2**, a Ukrainian-built expendable launch system widely used by the USSR for military payloads.

### Program Context
As part of the broader **US-A satellite series**, Cosmos 1176 supported the Soviet Navy’s ability to track U.S. and allied warships globally. These satellites formed a critical element of Soviet anti-access/area denial strategies during the Cold War.

### Legacy and Classification
Due to their sensitive nature, many aspects of the US-A program remain classified. However, Cosmos 1176 and similar satellites have been documented in open-source defense analyses and historical aerospace databases such as Wikidata and NASA's NSSDCA catalog.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report