# Cosmos 1246
**Wikidata**: [Q12753182](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753182)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1246

## Summary
Cosmos 1246 is a Soviet spy satellite of the Yantar-1KFT class, launched on February 18, 1981, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 using a Soyuz-U rocket. It was part of the Soviet Union's space reconnaissance program during the Cold War era.

## Key Facts
- Cosmos 1246 is an instance of the Yantar-1KFT class of Soviet spy satellites
- It was launched on February 18, 1981, at 09:00:00 from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- The satellite was deployed using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle
- Its COSPAR identifier is 1981-015A
- It has a Soviet catalog number (SCN) of 12301
- The satellite has 3 sitelinks across different language versions of Wikipedia
- Wikipedia articles about Cosmos 1246 exist in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian languages
- It has a Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "12301"]

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1246?
A: Cosmos 1246 was a Soviet spy satellite designed for reconnaissance missions as part of the Yantar-1KFT class, which was developed to gather intelligence during the Cold War period.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1246 launched?
A: Cosmos 1246 was launched on February 18, 1981, at 09:00:00 from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 using a Soyuz-U rocket.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1246?
A: Cosmos 1246 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz rocket design developed by the Soviet Union.

### Q: What is the relationship between Cosmos 1246 and other satellites?
A: Cosmos 1246 belongs to the Yantar-1KFT class of satellites, which were Soviet spy satellites used for reconnaissance purposes.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1246 represents a significant achievement in Soviet space reconnaissance technology during the Cold War. As part of the Yantar-1KFT program, it contributed to the Soviet Union's capabilities in gathering intelligence through satellite imagery, which was crucial for national security and military strategy during this tense period. The satellite's launch on a Soyuz-U rocket demonstrates the reliability and versatility of this launch vehicle, which became a workhorse for Soviet space missions. The existence of Wikipedia articles in multiple Slavic languages indicates the satellite's regional significance and the continued interest in Cold War space programs among scholars and enthusiasts in these regions.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Yantar-1KFT class, a specialized Soviet reconnaissance satellite program
- Launching on February 18, 1981, during a period of heightened Cold War tensions
- Utilizing the Soyuz-U rocket, one of the most reliable launch vehicles in Soviet space history
- Having documentation in multiple Slavic languages (Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian), reflecting regional interest in Soviet space programs

## Body
### Basic Information
Cosmos 1246 is a Soviet satellite that was launched on February 18, 1981. It belongs to the Yantar-1KFT class of satellites, which were designed for reconnaissance purposes. The satellite has a COSPAR identifier of 1981-015A and a Soviet catalog number (SCN) of 12301.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 at exactly 09:00:00 on February 18, 1981. It was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz rocket design that was developed by the Soviet Union. The Soyuz-U was part of the Universal (U) series of Soyuz rockets and became one of the most frequently used launch vehicles in Soviet space history.

### Technical Classification
Cosmos 1246 is classified as a Yantar-1KFT satellite, which was a type of Soviet spy satellite used for reconnaissance missions. The Yantar-1KFT program was developed to enhance the Soviet Union's capabilities in gathering intelligence through satellite imagery during the Cold War period. The satellite has 3 sitelinks across different language versions of Wikipedia, indicating its documentation in multiple languages.

### Documentation and References
The satellite has Wikipedia articles available in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr) languages. It is also referenced in Wolfram Alpha with the entity code Entity["Satellite", "12301"]. The satellite's information is primarily sourced from Q6272367, which appears to be a Wikidata entity containing detailed information about Soviet space programs.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report