# Cosmos 1580
**Wikidata**: [Q12907441](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907441)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1580

## Summary
Cosmos 1580 was a Soviet military spy satellite launched on June 29, 1984. Classified as a Zenit 8 spacecraft, it was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. It is identified internationally by the designator 1984-070A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 1580 is an instance of a Zenit 8, a class of military spy satellite utilized by the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on June 29, 1984.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket, a Universal design variant of the Soyuz rocket family.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.
- **COSPAR ID:** The international designator for this object is 1984-070A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It holds the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 15090.
- **Alias:** The satellite is also known as Kosmos 1580.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1580?
A: Cosmos 1580 was a Zenit 8 military spy satellite used by the Soviet Union for reconnaissance purposes.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1580 launched?
A: It was launched on June 29, 1984, at 15:00:00 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1580?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket, which is a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design.

### Q: What is the international identifier for Cosmos 1580?
A: The COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) ID for the satellite is 1984-070A, and its Satellite Catalog Number is 15090.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1580 serves as a specific historical data point in the timeline of the Soviet space program, exemplifying the operational deployment of military reconnaissance technology during the Cold War. As a Zenit 8 satellite, it represents a class of spacecraft critical to the Soviet Union's intelligence-gathering capabilities. The mission highlights the reliance on the Plesetsk Cosmodrome as a primary launch site for military assets and the extensive use of the Soyuz-U rocket, which served as a workhorse for the Soviet space fleet. By cataloging this specific launch—complete with precise timing and location coordinates—space historians can track the development and frequency of Soviet orbital surveillance efforts in 1984.

## Notable For
- Being a designated **Zenit 8** military spy satellite, a specific class of Soviet reconnaissance spacecraft.
- Launching from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4**, a significant launch complex for the Soviet military.
- Utilizing the **Soyuz-U** rocket variant, one of the most frequently used launch vehicles in space history.
- Serving as an example of the Soviet "Cosmos" designation program, which assigned generic cover names to military satellites (e.g., Kosmos 1580).

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1580 was a spacecraft operated by the Soviet Union, falling under the broad "Cosmos" program which encompassed a wide variety of scientific and military satellites. Specifically, this object is classified as an **instance of Zenit 8**. According to available knowledge, the Zenit 8 class is defined as a **military spy satellite**.

### Launch Specifications
The satellite successfully achieved orbit via a **rocket launch** event on **June 29, 1984**.
*   **Time:** The launch occurred precisely at **15:00:00**.
*   **Location:** The point of origin was **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4**.
*   **Vehicle:** The launch vehicle was a **Soyuz-U**. This rocket is described as a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz design and is associated with the Soviet Union.

### Identifiers and Data
To track the satellite in global databases, specific identifiers have been assigned:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1984-070A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 15090
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "15090"]`

The satellite is referenced in Wikipedia across several languages, including Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr), and has a sitelink count of 3 in the provided data.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report