# Cosmos 1216
**Wikidata**: [Q13566507](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566507)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1216

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Cosmos 1216**:

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## Summary  
Cosmos 1216 (also known as Kosmos 1216) was a Soviet spy satellite launched in 1980 as part of the Zenit 6U reconnaissance program. It was designed for military observation and operated from low Earth orbit. The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: October 16, 1980 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1980-084A ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200386))  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 12019 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 41 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Class**: Zenit 6U (Soviet reconnaissance satellite) ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Alternative Name**: Kosmos 1216  
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch at 12:20 UTC on October 16, 1980 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1216?  
A: Cosmos 1216 was a military reconnaissance satellite, part of the Zenit 6U program, designed for photographic surveillance missions.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 1216 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 in the Soviet Union.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1216?  
A: A Soyuz-U rocket carried Cosmos 1216 into orbit.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1216 was part of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era reconnaissance efforts, contributing to intelligence-gathering capabilities during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. As a Zenit-class satellite, it played a role in photographic surveillance, aiding military and strategic decision-making. The Zenit program was notable for its modular design, allowing for both civilian and military applications. Cosmos 1216’s launch underscores the technological competition between superpowers in space exploration and espionage.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Role**: Operated as a spy satellite under the Zenit 6U program.  
- **Soyuz-U Launch**: Demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-U rocket for military payloads.  
- **Cold War Context**: Part of Soviet efforts to monitor global military activities.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: October 16, 1980  
- **Time**: 12:20 UTC  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Zenit 6U  
- **Mission**: Reconnaissance  
- **Catalog Number**: 12019  

### Rocket & Deployment  
- **Vehicle**: Soyuz-U  
- **Country**: Soviet Union  

### Operational Context  
- Part of a series of Soviet military reconnaissance satellites.  
- Contributed to Cold War-era intelligence operations.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material without fabrication. Let me know if further refinements are needed!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report