# Cosmos 1227
**Wikidata**: [Q12753170](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753170)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1227

## Summary
Cosmos 1227 is a Soviet spy satellite launched on December 16, 1980, as part of the Zenit 6U reconnaissance program. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Zenit 6U class Soviet spy satellite
- **Launch Date:** December 16, 1980
- **Launch Time:** 12:15:00
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal variant)
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 12100
- **COSPAR ID:** 1980-101A
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1227

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of Cosmos 1227?
A: Cosmos 1227 is a Soviet spy satellite belonging to the Zenit 6U class. It was designed for reconnaissance purposes and operated by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1227 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on December 16, 1980, at 12:15:00. The launch took place at Site 43 of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

### Q: What rocket was used to put Cosmos 1227 into orbit?
A: Cosmos 1227 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket. The Soyuz-U is a "Universal" design variant of the Soyuz rocket family.

### Q: What are the technical identifiers for Cosmos 1227?
A: It is identified as SCN 12100 and COSPAR ID 1980-101A. In the Wolfram Language, it is referenced by the entity code Entity["Satellite", "12100"].

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1227 represents a specific point in the evolution of Soviet orbital reconnaissance during the early 1980s. As an instance of the Zenit 6U class, it was part of a long-running lineage of spy satellites that provided the Soviet Union with intelligence capabilities. The mission is also a testament to the operational history of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, a "Universal" variant that served as a primary workhorse for Soviet space missions. Its launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 highlights the strategic importance of that facility for military space operations. While much of the specific mission data remains part of the historical record of the Soviet Union's classified space programs, its technical parameters provide a verifiable footprint of Cold War-era space activity.

## Notable For
- **Class Membership:** It is a Zenit 6U, a specific class of Soviet spy satellites.
- **Launch Platform:** Utilized the Soyuz-U, the "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
- **Strategic Origin:** Launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a key site for Soviet military satellite deployments.
- **International Tracking:** Recognized globally by the COSPAR ID 1980-101A and Satellite Catalog Number 12100.

## Body

### Mission Profile
Cosmos 1227, often referred to by the alternative spelling Kosmos 1227, was a Soviet reconnaissance mission. It was classified as an instance of the Zenit 6U class of spy satellites. These satellites were a critical component of the Soviet Union's space-based intelligence-gathering infrastructure.

### Launch and Deployment
The spacecraft was launched on December 16, 1980. The significant event of the rocket launch was recorded at 12:15:00. The mission utilized the following infrastructure:
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The Soyuz-U, a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket.
*   **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically Site 43.

### Technical Specifications and Identification
Cosmos 1227 is tracked and identified in various scientific and academic databases using specific codes:
*   **SCN:** 12100
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1980-101A
*   **Wolfram Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "12100"]

### Documentation and Language Sitelinks
The satellite is documented in several international contexts, with a sitelink count of 3. Information regarding Cosmos 1227 is available in the following Wikipedia language editions:
*   Macedonian (mk)
*   Serbo-Croatian (sh)
*   Serbian (sr)

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report