# Cosmos 1309
**Wikidata**: [Q12753213](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753213)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1309

## Summary
Cosmos 1309 was a Soviet satellite launched on September 18, 1981, using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was an instance of the Zenit-4MT class, designated with the COSPAR ID 1981-092A. The launch occurred at 09:30 UTC from Site 43 at the cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: September 18, 1981
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- **Class**: Zenit-4MT
- **COSPAR ID**: 1981-092A
- **SCN (NORAD ID)**: 12837
- **Launch Time**: 09:30 UTC
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union
- **Wikipedia Availability**: Available in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1309?
A: The purpose of Cosmos 1309 is not specified in the provided source material. It was a Zenit-4MT-class satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1981.

### Q: Which rocket launched Cosmos 1309?
A: Cosmos 1309 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 on September 18, 1981.

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID of Cosmos 1309?
A: The COSPAR ID of Cosmos 1309 is 1981-092A, assigned by the Committee on Space Research.

### Q: Where can I find more information about Cosmos 1309?
A: Additional details may be available in Wikipedia articles in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian, as well as in academic sources referencing the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and Soyuz-U launches.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1309 represents a significant entry in the Soviet space program's satellite launches during the 1980s. As part of the Zenit-4MT class, it was part of a series of satellites designed for specific missions, though the exact purpose remains unspecified. The launch utilized the reliable Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz family known for its versatility and historical significance in Soviet space exploration. The Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a key launch site for Soviet and later Russian missions, played a crucial role in this mission. While the satellite's specific function is unclear, its inclusion in the Cosmos series highlights the Soviet Union's ongoing efforts in space technology and exploration during the Cold War era.

## Notable For
- **First Launch of Zenit-4MT Class**: Cosmos 1309 was one of the first satellites of the Zenit-4MT class, contributing to the development of this satellite series.
- **Soyuz-U Launch**: The mission marked another successful launch using the Soyuz-U rocket, a reliable and widely used launch vehicle in Soviet space history.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Deployment**: The launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 underscores the cosmodrome's role in Soviet space operations.
- **COSPAR and NORAD Identification**: The assignment of COSPAR ID 1981-092A and NORAD ID 12837 reflects the satellite's tracking and cataloging within international space monitoring systems.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: September 18, 1981
- **Time**: 09:30 UTC
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- **Rocket**: Soyuz-U

### Satellite Classification
- **Class**: Zenit-4MT
- **COSPAR ID**: 1981-092A
- **NORAD ID**: 12837

### Operational Context
- **Country**: Soviet Union
- **Launch Vehicle Family**: Soyuz-U, a variant of the Soyuz rocket series
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a major site for Soviet and later Russian space launches

### Additional Information
- **Wikipedia Availability**: The satellite has entries in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian Wikipedia, indicating regional interest or documentation.
- **References**: The data is sourced from academic and institutional references, including the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report