# Cosmos 1705
**Wikidata**: [Q12753407](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753407)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1705

## Summary
Cosmos 1705 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite launched on December 3, 1985. It belonged to the Zenit 8 class and was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. The satellite is also known by its alternate designation, Kosmos 1705.

## Key Facts
- Official name: Cosmos 1705 (alias: Kosmos 1705)
- Alternate designations: SCN 16296; COSPAR ID: 1985-111A
- Launch date: December 3, 1985
- Launch time: 12:15:00 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-U rocket
- Satellite class: Zenit 8 (military spy satellite)
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Wikipedia languages: Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1705?
A: Cosmos 1705 was a Zenit 8 military reconnaissance satellite used by the Soviet Union for intelligence-gathering purposes. It was part of the Soviet space-based surveillance program.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1705 launched?
A: Cosmos 1705 was launched on December 3, 1985, at 12:15:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What kind of rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1705?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a commonly used variant of the Soyuz launcher family during the Cold War era.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1705 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space reconnaissance capabilities. As part of the Zenit 8 program, it contributed to the USSR’s efforts to monitor global military activities through orbital surveillance. Its successful deployment demonstrated the operational use of standardized reconnaissance platforms and the reliability of the Soyuz-U launch system. These satellites played a strategic role in geopolitical intelligence operations and underscored the militarization of space during the latter half of the 20th century.

## Notable For
- Being part of the classified Zenit 8 military satellite series
- Launching aboard the widely-used Soyuz-U rocket variant
- Serving as a space-based intelligence asset during the Cold War
- Having multiple international language entries despite limited public information
- Utilizing the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a major Soviet military spaceport

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1705 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite operated under the Zenit 8 program. It was designed for optical intelligence gathering and was one of several similar missions launched throughout the 1980s.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft was categorized as a Zenit 8 satellite, which was specifically developed for high-resolution Earth observation and surveillance tasks. These satellites were typically placed into low Earth orbit to conduct periodic imaging of strategic areas.

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: December 3, 1985  
- **Launch Time**: 12:15:00 UTC  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 16  

The Soyuz-U rocket served as the primary launch platform for many Soviet military payloads due to its proven reliability and adaptability.

### Designation and Tracking Information
- **SCN (Space Command Number)**: 16296  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1985-111A  
- **Aliases**: Kosmos 1705  

These identifiers are used in orbital tracking databases and historical aerospace documentation to uniquely reference the satellite.

### Operational Context
As with other Zenit-class satellites, Cosmos 1705 likely followed a standard mission profile involving controlled deorbiting after completing its operational life. Specific details regarding its orbital parameters or recovery status remain largely classified or unreported in open sources.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report