# Cosmos 1218
**Wikidata**: [Q12753188](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753188)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1218

## Summary
Cosmos 1218 was a Soviet spy satellite launched in 1980 as part of the Yantar-4K1 reconnaissance program. It was deployed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket and operated under the COSPAR ID 1980-086A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Instance of the Yantar-4K1 spy satellite class.
- **Launch Date**: October 30, 1980, at 10:00:00 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket (Soviet Union variant).
- **COSPAR ID**: 1980-086A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 12039.
- **Aliases**: Also known as Kosmos 1218.
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: `Entity["Satellite", "12039"]`.

## FAQs
**What type of satellite was Cosmos 1218?**
Cosmos 1218 was a Yantar-4K1 reconnaissance satellite, part of the Soviet Union's spy satellite program designed for photographic surveillance.

**When and where was Cosmos 1218 launched?**
It was launched on October 30, 1980, at 10:00:00 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 in the Soviet Union.

**What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1218?**
The Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz launch vehicle, was used to deploy Cosmos 1218 into orbit.

**What is the significance of the COSPAR ID 1980-086A?**
The COSPAR ID (1980-086A) is a unique international designation assigned to Cosmos 1218 for tracking and identification purposes in space missions.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1218 played a role in the Cold War-era space race, contributing to the Soviet Union's reconnaissance capabilities. As part of the Yantar-4K1 program, it provided critical intelligence through photographic surveillance, reinforcing the USSR's strategic military and political objectives. Its successful deployment via the Soyuz-U rocket also demonstrated the reliability of Soviet launch technology.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Yantar-4K1 spy satellite class, a key component of Soviet reconnaissance efforts.
- Launching from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome, a major hub for Soviet and later Russian space missions.
- Utilizing the Soyuz-U rocket, a widely used and dependable launch vehicle in the Soviet space program.

## Body
### **Overview**
Cosmos 1218 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched under the Yantar-4K1 program, designed for photographic intelligence-gathering. It operated as part of a broader network of spy satellites deployed during the Cold War to monitor adversarial activities.

### **Launch Details**
- **Date and Time**: October 30, 1980, at 10:00:00 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, a primary launch facility for Soviet space missions.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U, a variant of the Soyuz rocket family optimized for unmanned missions.

### **Technical Specifications**
- **COSPAR ID**: 1980-086A, an international identifier for tracking orbital objects.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 12039, used for global satellite tracking.
- **Class**: Yantar-4K1, a series of Soviet reconnaissance satellites equipped with photographic payloads.

### **Related Entities**
- **Yantar-4K1**: The satellite class to which Cosmos 1218 belonged, known for its role in Soviet military reconnaissance.
- **Soyuz-U**: The rocket variant used for the launch, part of the Soyuz family of launch vehicles developed by the Soviet Union.

### **Documentation and References**
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian, indicating regional interest in the mission.
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: `Entity["Satellite", "12039"]`, used for computational and data retrieval purposes.

### **Legacy**
Cosmos 1218 contributed to the Soviet Union's space-based intelligence capabilities, reinforcing its position in the Cold War space race. Its successful mission underscored the effectiveness of the Yantar-4K1 program and the reliability of the Soyuz-U launch system.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report