# Cosmos 1272
**Wikidata**: [Q12753195](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753195)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1272

## Summary
Cosmos 1272 was a Soviet spy satellite, specifically an instance of the Zenit 6U class spacecraft, launched on May 21, 1981. It was carried into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

## Key Facts
*   Cosmos 1272 is classified as a Zenit 6U Soviet spy satellite.
*   It was launched on May 21, 1981.
*   The launch vehicle used was a Soyuz-U rocket.
*   The launch originated from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
*   Its COSPAR ID is 1981-047A.
*   Its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 12466.
*   It is also known by the alias Kosmos 1272.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Cosmos 1272?
A: Cosmos 1272 was a Soviet spy satellite, belonging to the Zenit 6U class of spacecraft. It was launched in 1981 to perform reconnaissance missions.

### Q: When was Cosmos 1272 launched?
A: Cosmos 1272 was launched on May 21, 1981. The launch occurred at 09:10:00 UTC.

### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 1272?
A: Cosmos 1272 is an instance of a Zenit 6U class satellite, which was a type of Soviet spy satellite designed for reconnaissance.

### Q: Where was Cosmos 1272 launched from?
A: Cosmos 1272 was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, located in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What rocket launched Cosmos 1272?
A: Cosmos 1272 was launched into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz rocket design.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1272 was a Zenit 6U class Soviet spy satellite, playing a role in the Soviet Union's reconnaissance efforts during the Cold War era. As part of a larger fleet of similar spacecraft, it contributed to intelligence gathering by observing activities on Earth. The deployment of such satellites was crucial for strategic assessment and national security, providing vital information that informed military and political decisions during a period of geopolitical tension. Its successful launch and operation demonstrated the Soviet Union's continued capability in deploying sophisticated surveillance technology, highlighting the critical importance of space-based assets for intelligence gathering by major world powers. The Zenit program, of which Cosmos 1272 was an instance, represented a significant component of Soviet space-based intelligence infrastructure.

## Notable For
*   Being a specific instance of the Zenit 6U class of Soviet spy satellites.
*   Its unique COSPAR ID 1981-047A.
*   Its launch on May 21, 1981, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
*   Its use of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, a widely used Soviet rocket design.

## Body

### Overview
Cosmos 1272, also known as Kosmos 1272, is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 12466. It is an instance of a Zenit 6U class satellite, which served as a Soviet spy satellite.

### Launch Details
*   **Launch Date:** Cosmos 1272 was launched on May 21, 1981.
*   **Launch Time:** The launch occurred at 09:10:00 UTC.
*   **Launch Site:** The satellite was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** A Soyuz-U rocket was used to carry Cosmos 1272 into orbit. The Soyuz-U is a variant of the Soyuz rocket design, known for its universal applications.
*   **COSPAR ID:** The international designator for Cosmos 1272 is 1981-047A.

### Classification and Related Entities
*   **Class:** Cosmos 1272 belongs to the Zenit 6U class of satellites. Zenit 6U satellites were Soviet spy satellites.
*   **Launch Vehicle Family:** The Soyuz-U launch vehicle is a design variant of the Soyuz rocket, which originated in the Soviet Union.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report