# Cosmos 1724
**Wikidata**: [Q12753417](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753417)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1724

## Summary  
Cosmos 1724 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1986 as part of the Yantar-4K2 class, designed for photographic surveillance. It was deployed via a Soyuz-U rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, serving as part of the Soviet Union’s intelligence-gathering efforts during the Cold War.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: January 15, 1986, at 14:20:00 UTC.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz family.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1986-004A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 16490.  
- **Class**: Yantar-4K2, a Soviet/Russian spy satellite designed for film-based reconnaissance.  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.  
- **Mission Type**: Military reconnaissance.  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Cosmos 1724 launched?  
A: Cosmos 1724 was launched on January 15, 1986, at 14:20:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.  

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1724?  
A: It was a Yantar-4K2-class spy satellite used for photographic reconnaissance as part of Soviet military intelligence operations.  

### Q: What rocket launched Cosmos 1724?  
A: The satellite was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket, a reliable and widely used variant of the Soyuz launch vehicle.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1724 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era reconnaissance program. As a Yantar-4K2 satellite, it utilized film-based cameras to capture high-resolution imagery of strategic targets, with the film canisters returned to Earth via re-entry capsules. Its launch on a Soyuz-U rocket underscores the dependability of this launch vehicle, which was pivotal for both military and civilian space missions. Satellites like Cosmos 1724 played a critical role in geopolitical intelligence-gathering, reflecting the technological and strategic rivalry of the Cold War.  

## Notable For  
- **Yantar-4K2 Class**: Part of a series of film-return reconnaissance satellites known for their high-resolution imaging capabilities.  
- **Soyuz-U Launch Vehicle**: Demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-U variant, which was extensively used for military and scientific missions.  
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**: Launched from a primary Soviet spaceport, highlighting the infrastructure supporting Soviet military space operations.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date/Time**: January 15, 1986, at 14:20:00 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a facility primarily used for military launches.  
- **Vehicle**: Soyuz-U (Universal), a modified Soyuz rocket optimized for diverse payloads.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Yantar-4K2, designed for low-Earth orbit reconnaissance with film return capsules.  
- **Identifiers**: COSPAR ID 1986-004A, SCN 16490.  
- **Mission**: Conduct photographic surveillance for Soviet military intelligence.  

### Mission Context  
The Yantar-4K2 satellites were successors to earlier Yantar designs, offering improved imaging resolution and longer orbital endurance. Cosmos 1724’s launch aligned with the Soviet Union’s emphasis on space-based reconnaissance to monitor adversaries and verify arms control agreements.  

### Historical Context  
As part of the broader Yantar program, Cosmos 1724 exemplifies the Soviet approach to space-based espionage, which relied on recoverable film capsules rather than digital transmission. This method, though logistically complex, provided high-quality imagery critical for military planning and strategic analysis during the 1980s.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report