# Cosmos 1316
**Wikidata**: [Q12753215](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753215)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1316

## Summary
Cosmos 1316 is a Soviet spy satellite launched on October 15, 1981. It is an instance of the Zenit 6U reconnaissance satellite class and was placed into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Zenit 6U Soviet spy satellite
- **Launch Date:** October 15, 1981
- **Launch Time:** 09:15:00
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Soyuz rocket design variant - Universal)
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 12905
- **COSPAR ID:** 1981-104A
- **Origin Country:** Soviet Union
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1316
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "12905"]

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 1316?
A: Cosmos 1316 is a Zenit 6U class Soviet spy satellite. It was designed for reconnaissance purposes and operated by the Soviet Union.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1316 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on October 15, 1981, at 09:15:00. It was deployed from Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1316?
A: Cosmos 1316 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket. The Soyuz-U is a specific "Universal" design variant of the Soyuz rocket family.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1316 serves as a documented example of Soviet orbital reconnaissance technology from the early 1980s. As an instance of the Zenit 6U class, it represents a specific lineage of Soviet spy satellites designed for intelligence gathering. The satellite's launch on October 15, 1981, at 09:15:00, marks a precise point in the operational history of the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31. Its deployment via the Soyuz-U rocket—a "Universal" design variant—illustrates the Soviet Union's reliance on standardized, reliable launch vehicles for its military space program.

The significance of Cosmos 1316 is further established by its inclusion in global satellite catalogs, where it is identified as SCN 12905 and COSPAR ID 1981-104A. These identifiers allow for the precise tracking of the satellite's historical presence in orbit. While it is one of many satellites in the Cosmos series, its specific classification as a Zenit 6U distinguishes it as a dedicated reconnaissance tool. For historians and technical researchers, Cosmos 1316 provides essential data regarding the frequency, timing, and technical execution of Soviet spy satellite missions during this period.

## Notable For
- **Reconnaissance Class:** Specifically identified as a Zenit 6U, a dedicated class of Soviet spy satellites.
- **Standardized Launch:** Utilized the Soyuz-U "Universal" rocket variant for its orbital insertion.
- **Strategic Origin:** Launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, a primary facility for Soviet space operations.
- **International Tracking:** Recognized in scientific databases by COSPAR ID 1981-104A and SCN 12905.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1316, also known by the alias Kosmos 1316, was a Soviet military satellite. It was launched on October 15, 1981, as part of the Zenit 6U reconnaissance program. The launch occurred at exactly 09:15:00 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soviet Union.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite is categorized under the following technical designations:
- **Instance of:** Zenit 6U
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 12905
- **COSPAR ID:** 1981-104A
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "12905"]

### Launch Details
The mission was executed using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle. The Soyuz-U is a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design. The launch took place at Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, which is cited as the specific start point for the mission. 

### Related Entities and Context
Cosmos 1316 is closely related to the Zenit 6U class of Soviet spy satellites. Its launch vehicle, the Soyuz-U, is a prominent variant of the Soyuz rocket family associated with the Soviet Union. The satellite is documented in various international databases and has sitelinks in the Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr) languages.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report