# Cosmos 1208
**Wikidata**: [Q12753163](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753163)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1208

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Cosmos 1208**:

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## Summary  
Cosmos 1208 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1980 as part of the Yantar-2K spy satellite program. It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and operated under the Kosmos designation.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: August 26, 1980 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1980-071A ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200386))  
- **Satellite Class**: Yantar-2K, a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **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))  
- **Alternative Name**: Kosmos 1208  
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number)**: 11945 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch at 15:30 UTC on August 26, 1980 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs  
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1208?  
A: Cosmos 1208 was a Yantar-2K-class satellite, designed for Soviet military reconnaissance missions.  

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1208 launched?  
A: It was launched on August 26, 1980, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 aboard a Soyuz-U rocket.  

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1208?  
A: As part of the Yantar-2K program, its primary role was high-resolution photographic reconnaissance for Soviet intelligence.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1208 was part of the Yantar-2K series, a critical Soviet-era spy satellite program that provided high-resolution imagery for military and strategic intelligence. These satellites played a key role in Cold War surveillance, enabling the Soviet Union to monitor global military activities. The Yantar-2K series was an improvement over earlier designs, offering enhanced imaging capabilities and longer operational lifespans. Cosmos 1208's launch contributed to the USSR's space-based reconnaissance network, demonstrating advancements in satellite technology during a period of intense geopolitical competition.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Role**: Operated as a classified reconnaissance satellite under the Kosmos designation.  
- **Launch Precision**: Deployed via the reliable Soyuz-U rocket, a workhorse of Soviet space missions.  
- **Historical Context**: Part of Cold War-era intelligence-gathering efforts by the USSR.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: August 26, 1980  
- **Time**: 15:30 UTC  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Yantar-2K  
- **Catalog Number**: 11945  
- **Alternative Designation**: Kosmos 1208  

### Mission Context  
- **Primary Function**: Military reconnaissance  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U  
- **Operator**: Soviet Union  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material without fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report