# Cosmos 1224
**Wikidata**: [Q12753169](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753169)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1224

## Summary
Cosmos 1224 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on December 1, 1980. Classified as a Zenit 6U satellite, it was deployed into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It is identified by the international designation 1980-096A and the Satellite Catalog Number 12084.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 1224 is an instance of the Zenit 6U class of Soviet spy satellites.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on December 1, 1980.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was transported to orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43.
- **COSPAR ID:** The international designator for this object is 1980-096A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It holds the identifier 12084 in the satellite catalog.
- **Launch Event:** The specific rocket launch occurred at 12:15:00 on December 1, 1980.
- **Also Known As:** The satellite is aliased as "Kosmos 1224."

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1224?
A: Cosmos 1224 was a Soviet spy satellite belonging to the Zenit 6U class. It was designed for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1224 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on December 1, 1980, at 12:15:00. It lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1224?
A: Cosmos 1224 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz launch system utilized by the Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1224 serves as a specific historical data point within the extensive Soviet reconnaissance program of the Cold War era. As a Zenit 6U satellite, it represents a generation of optical surveillance spacecraft that were vital to Soviet intelligence capabilities. The mission illustrates the heavy reliance of the Soviet space program on the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and the robust Soyuz-U launch vehicle, which acted as the workhorse for a multitude of military and scientific payloads.

The satellite's designation as "Cosmos" follows the standard Soviet practice of obscuring the specific nature of military missions under a generic name, a protocol that aids in the categorization of space history today. The precise tracking data available for this object—including its Satellite Catalog Number (12084) and COSPAR ID (1980-096A)—highlights the rigorous record-keeping maintained by international space agencies regarding objects in Earth orbit.

## Notable For
- **Military Classification:** It is explicitly identified as a Soviet spy satellite (Zenit 6U).
- **Launch Precision:** The launch event is recorded with precise timing (12:15:00).
- **Launch Platform:** It utilized the Soyuz-U, a major variant of the Soyuz rocket family described as "Universal."
- **Specific Identifiers:** It possesses distinct tracking identifiers (SCN 12084, COSPAR 1980-096A) used for orbital cataloging.

## Body
### Mission Profile and Designation
Cosmos 1224 was launched as part of the ongoing Soviet space program under the generic "Cosmos" designation. This naming convention was standard for Soviet military satellites to maintain secrecy regarding their specific reconnaissance objectives. The spacecraft is an instance of the **Zenit 6U** class, a type of spy satellite developed by the Soviet Union.

### Launch Details
The satellite successfully achieved orbit following a launch on **December 1, 1980**. The launch took place at precisely **12:15:00**.
- **Launch Vehicle:** The mission was carried out using a **Soyuz-U** rocket. The Soyuz-U is noted as a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design and was a staple launch vehicle for the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Site:** The lift-off occurred at **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43**, a primary launch facility for military satellites located in northwestern Russia.

### Technical Identifiers
To facilitate tracking and identification in space catalogs, Cosmos 1224 is assigned the following technical values:
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 12084
- **COSPAR International Designator:** 1980-096A
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "12084"]

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report