# Cosmos 1764
**Wikidata**: [Q12907488](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907488)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1764

## Summary  
Cosmos 1764 (also written Kosmos 1764) was a Soviet‑built Yantar‑4K2 reconnaissance satellite launched on 17 July 1986 from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 31 aboard a Soyuz‑U launch vehicle. It carried the international designator 1986‑053A and is catalogued as satellite 16861.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 17 July 1986.  
- **Launch site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 31, Kazakhstan.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Soyuz‑U rocket, a variant of the Soy‑U family used by the Soviet Union.  
- **Satellite class:** Yantar‑4K2, a series of Soviet/Russian photographic spy satellites.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1986‑053A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 16861.  
- **Alias:** Kosmos 1764.  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch recorded at 12:30 UTC on the launch day.  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr).  

## FAQs  

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1764?  
**A:** Cosmos 1764 was a Yantar‑4K2 reconnaissance satellite, designed to capture photographic intelligence for the Soviet Union.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1764 launched?  
**A:** It launched on 17 July 1986 from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 31, using a Soyuz‑U launch vehicle.

### Q: What is the COSPAR identifier for Cosmos 1764?  
**A:** The satellite’s international designator is 1986‑053A.

### Q: Which launch vehicle placed Cosmos 1764 into orbit?  
**A:** A Soyuz‑U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz family, performed the launch.

### Q: How is Cosmos 1764 catalogued in satellite databases?  
**A:** It is listed under satellite catalog number 16861 and also known by the alias Kosmos 1764.

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1764 represents a key element of the Soviet Union’s Cold‑War era space‑based intelligence architecture. As part of the Yantar‑4K2 series, it contributed to the nation’s ability to gather high‑resolution photographic data from orbit, supporting military planning and strategic decision‑making. The launch demonstrates the continued reliance on the Soyuz‑U launch system, a workhorse that enabled a steady cadence of reconnaissance missions. Understanding Cosmos 1764 helps illustrate the evolution of satellite reconnaissance technology, the logistical capabilities of the Baikonur launch complex, and the broader geopolitical context of space utilization for national security during the 1980s.

## Notable For  
- Being a Yantar‑4K2 class satellite, a sophisticated photographic reconnaissance platform.  
- Launch from Baikonur Site 31, a less‑frequently used pad compared with the more common Site 1/5.  
- Utilisation of the Soyuz‑U launch vehicle, highlighting the versatility of the Soyuz family.  
- Assignment of the COSPAR ID 1986‑053A, linking it to the global satellite tracking system.  
- Inclusion in multiple language Wikipedia editions, indicating international interest.

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 1764, also known as Kosmos 1764, belongs to the Yantar‑4K2 series of Soviet spy satellites. The Yantar line was developed to replace earlier Zenit platforms, offering improved imaging capabilities and longer mission durations.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 17 July 1986, 12:30 UTC.  
- **Location:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Site 31.  
- **Vehicle:** Soyuz‑U, a variant of the Soyuz family designed for a wide range of payloads.  
- **Event:** Recorded as a “rocket launch” in mission logs, marking the satellite’s insertion into low‑Earth orbit.

### Classification & Identifiers  
- **Instance of:** Yantar‑4K2 (reconnaissance satellite class).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1986‑053A, the standard international designation for space objects.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 16861, used by tracking agencies worldwide.  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1764, reflecting the common naming convention for Soviet military satellites.

### Technical Context  
The Yantar‑4K2 platform incorporated a film‑based imaging system, later supplemented by digital technologies in subsequent generations. Its launch aboard a Soyuz‑U underscores the reliability of the Soyuz family for delivering payloads to orbit, a capability that persisted well beyond the Cold War.

### Related Systems  
- **Yantar‑4K2 Class:** A family of optical reconnaissance satellites used by the Soviet Union and later Russia.  
- **Soyuz‑U Rocket:** A universal launch vehicle variant employed for a variety of military and civilian payloads.

### Legacy  
Cosmos 1764 contributed to the extensive archive of Soviet orbital imagery, supporting both tactical and strategic intelligence operations. Its successful deployment exemplifies the integration of proven launch infrastructure with advanced reconnaissance payloads, a model that continues to influence modern satellite programs.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report