# Cosmos 1236
**Wikidata**: [Q12907334](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907334)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1236

## Summary
Cosmos 1236 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on December 26, 1980. Classified as a Yantar-2K spacecraft, it was deployed into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It is identified internationally by the COSPAR ID 1980-105A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 1236 is an instance of the Yantar-2K class, a type of Soviet spy satellite.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on December 26, 1980.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled by a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
- **Launch Time:** The significant event (rocket launch) occurred at 16:10:00.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international designation is 1980-105A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It holds the catalog number 12121.
- **Aliases:** It is also known as Kosmos 1236.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1236?
A: Cosmos 1236 was a Yantar-2K class satellite, which functions as a Soviet spy satellite.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1236 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on December 26, 1980, at 16:10:00 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1236?
A: It was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a Universal variant of the Soviet Soyuz rocket family.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1236 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's intensive reconnaissance activities during the late Cold War era. As a Yantar-2K satellite, it highlights the technological standardization of Soviet space reconnaissance, utilizing a platform designed specifically for intelligence gathering. The mission illustrates the operational cadence of the Soviet space program, being one of many "Cosmos" designations used to obfuscate the specific military nature of such flights. Furthermore, the use of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle underscores the reliance on robust, universal rocket technology to maintain a persistent presence in space-based surveillance. Its launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a primary site for military launches, further emphasizes its role in national defense and strategic monitoring.

## Notable For
- **Military Classification:** Distinctly classified as a "Soviet spy satellite" under the Yantar-2K platform.
- **Launch Timing:** Executed late in the year on December 26, 1980.
- **Specific Launch Infrastructure:** Utilized Site 41 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
- **Universal Rocketry:** Deployed via the Soyuz-U, noted as the "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Classification
Cosmos 1236 was part of the ubiquitous "Cosmos" series, a designation used by the Soviet Union for its military and scientific satellites. Specifically, it was an instance of the **Yantar-2K** class, a platform developed for photographic reconnaissance. The satellite is cataloged in international databases under the **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 12121** and the **COSPAR ID 1980-105A**.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully inserted into orbit via a **Soyuz-U** launch vehicle. The Soyuz-U is described as a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design, noted for its reliability and extensive use in the Soviet space program.

The launch event took place on **December 26, 1980**, with a precise liftoff time of **16:10:00**. The point of origin was the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41**, a key launch complex for military satellites located in northwestern Russia.

### Data and Identifiers
Academic and tracking sources confirm several key identifiers for Cosmos 1236:
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "12121"]`
- **Wikipedia Presence:** The entity has sitelinks in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).
- **References:** The data regarding its classification, launch date, and vehicle is supported by `Q6272367` (Space Debris) and `Q200386`.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report