# Cosmos 1200
**Wikidata**: [Q13566502](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566502)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1200

## Summary  
Cosmos 1200 (Kosmos 1200) was a Soviet Zenit 6U reconnaissance satellite launched in 1980. It was part of a classified military program designed for Earth observation and intelligence gathering. The satellite was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: July 9, 1980, at 12:40 UTC ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1980-059A ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200386))  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 11884 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Class**: Zenit 6U, a Soviet spy satellite variant ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Aliases**: Also known as Kosmos 1200 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1200?  
A: Cosmos 1200 was a military reconnaissance satellite designed for Earth observation and intelligence gathering as part of the Soviet Zenit program.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 1200 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a key Soviet/Russian spaceport used for military and scientific missions.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1200?  
A: The Soyuz-U, a reliable Soviet rocket variant, was used to deploy Cosmos 1200 into orbit.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1200 was part of the Zenit 6U series, a critical component of Soviet Cold War-era military reconnaissance. These satellites provided high-resolution imagery for strategic intelligence, aiding in surveillance of NATO and other geopolitical rivals. The Zenit program demonstrated Soviet advancements in orbital surveillance technology, contributing to the space race's military dimension. Its launch from Plesetsk, a site often used for classified missions, underscores its strategic importance.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Role**: Operated as a spy satellite under the Zenit 6U program, a key Soviet reconnaissance initiative.  
- **Launch Precision**: Deployed via Soyuz-U, a workhorse rocket with a high success rate.  
- **Cold War Context**: Part of the broader Soviet effort to monitor global military activities during heightened tensions.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: July 9, 1980  
- **Time**: 12:40 UTC  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class**: Zenit 6U, a Soviet reconnaissance satellite variant ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Catalog Number**: 11884 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

### Mission Context  
- **Primary Function**: Intelligence gathering via optical imaging ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U, a derivative of the Soyuz rocket family ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report