# Cosmos 1279
**Wikidata**: [Q12753198](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753198)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1279

## Summary
Cosmos 1279 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on July 1, 1981. Manufactured as part of the Zenit-6U class, it was deployed into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It is identified internationally by the COSPAR designation 1981-062A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 1279 is an instance of the Zenit-6U class of Soviet spy satellites.
- **Launch Date:** The mission launched on July 1, 1981.
- **Launch Time:** The rocket launch occurred at 09:30:00 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled by a Soyuz-U rocket (Universal variant).
- **Launch Site:** The launch took place at Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **COSPAR ID:** The international identifier for this object is 1981-062A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It holds the SCN value of 12571.
- **Alternate Name:** The satellite is also known by the alias "Kosmos 1279."

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1279?
A: Cosmos 1279 was a Soviet spy satellite, specifically classified as a Zenit-6U vehicle.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1279 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on July 1, 1981, at 09:30:00 UTC from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1279?
A: It was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a Universal variant of the Soyuz design.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1279 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's extensive reconnaissance satellite program during the Cold War. As a Zenit-6U satellite, it highlights the standardization of the Soviet military space fleet, utilizing the reliable and widely deployed Soyuz-U launch vehicle. The specific mission details—such as the precise launch time and location—illustrate the rigorous scheduling and logistical capabilities of the Soviet space infrastructure at Baikonur. By cataloging this entity with specific identifiers like COSPAR 1981-062A and SCN 12571, space historians and trackers can accurately document the object's history and contribution to orbital traffic.

## Notable For
- Being a distinct entry in the extensive Cosmos series, which the Soviet Union used to designate its military and scientific satellites.
- Utilizing the Soyuz-U rocket, one of the most frequently used launch vehicles in space history.
- Launching from Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, a primary operational launch complex.
- Possessing a precise recorded launch time of 09:30:00, allowing for accurate historical tracking.

## Body
### Mission Classification
Cosmos 1279 was an artificial satellite designated under the Soviet "Cosmos" program. This program served as a cover for a wide variety of military and scientific spacecraft. Specifically, Cosmos 1279 was an instance of the **Zenit-6U** class. This class is explicitly defined in source data as a "Soviet spy satellite."

### Launch Operations
The launch was a significant event categorized as a "rocket launch" occurring on **July 1, 1981**.
*   **Point in Time:** 1981-07-01
*   **Time:** 09:30:00
*   **Location:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31

The launch vehicle employed was the **Soyuz-U**, a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design. This vehicle was a staple of the Soviet space program, noted for its reliability in deploying payloads such as the Zenit series.

### Identifiers and Data
To distinguish Cosmos 1279 from other orbital objects, several identifiers are used:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1981-062A (referenced from Q200386).
*   **Satellite Number (SCN):** 12571 (referenced from Q6272367).
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "12571"]`.

The satellite has limited linguistic presence on public encyclopedias, with Wikipedia entries found only in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report