# Cosmos 1277
**Wikidata**: [Q12907346](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907346)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1277

## Summary
Cosmos 1277 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on June 17, 1981. Designated as a Zenit 6U class spacecraft, it was deployed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. It is identified internationally by the COSPAR ID 1981-056A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 1277 is an instance of the Zenit 6U class, described as a Soviet spy satellite.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on June 17, 1981.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered to orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket, a Universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
- **Launch Site:** The launch took place at Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international designation is 1981-056A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is listed under SCN 12520.
- **Launch Event Specifics:** The significant rocket launch event occurred at 09:30:00 on June 17, 1981.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as Kosmos 1277.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1277?
A: Cosmos 1277 was a Soviet spy satellite belonging to the Zenit 6U class.

### Q: When was Cosmos 1277 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on June 17, 1981, at 09:30:00.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1277?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a Universal variant of the Soyuz design.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1277 represents a specific mission within the extensive Soviet space program, categorized under the Zenit 6U class of spy satellites. Its launch in 1981 illustrates the operational tempo and technological reliance of the Soviet Union on photoreconnaissance satellites during this era. The mission highlights the utility of the Soyuz-U rocket, a workhorse variant used for numerous Soviet payloads, demonstrating the synergy between launch vehicle reliability and intelligence gathering infrastructure. As a data point with a specific COSPAR ID (1981-056A) and launch site (Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31), it serves as a verifiable record in the history of spaceflight and Cold War-era aerospace activities.

## Notable For
- **Designation:** Identified as a Zenit 6U, a specific class of Soviet spy satellite.
- **Launch Infrastructure:** Utilized the Soyuz-U rocket, a Universal design variant.
- **Precise Tracking:** Recorded with a specific launch time of 09:30:00.
- **Location:** Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, a key operational pad.

## Body

### Classification and Identity
Cosmos 1277 is a man-made object classified under the Zenit 6U category. This categorization identifies it as a Soviet spy satellite. The entity is tracked under the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 12520 and holds the COSPAR international designator 1981-056A. It is also referenced by the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "12520"]`.

### Launch Details
The satellite's deployment is defined by a specific significant event categorized as a rocket launch. This event occurred on June 17, 1981, precisely at 09:30:00.

**Launch Parameters:**
*   **Point in Time:** 1981-06-17
*   **Time:** 09:30:00
*   **Location:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
*   **Vehicle:** Soyuz-U

### Launch Vehicle
The launch vehicle utilized for Cosmos 1277 was the Soyuz-U. This vehicle is a variant of the Soyuz rocket design characterized as "Universal." The Soyuz-U is associated with the Soviet Union and has a substantial history of use, indicated by its wide presence across multiple language wikis (sitelink count: 18).

### Related Entities
*   **Zenit 6U:** The class of the satellite, explicitly defined as a Soviet spy satellite.
*   **Soyuz-U:** The launch vehicle, a Soviet rocket design variant.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report