# Cosmos 1773
**Wikidata**: [Q12753445](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753445)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1773

## Summary  
Cosmos 1773 (also written Kosmos 1773) was a Soviet‑era Yantar‑4K2 optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 27 August 1986 from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 31 aboard a Soyuz‑U launch vehicle. It carried the international designator 1986‑064A and is catalogued as satellite 16920.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 27 August 1986 (UTC)【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Soyuz‑U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz family【source】  
- **Launch site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 31, Kazakhstan【source】  
- **Satellite class:** Yantar‑4K2, a Soviet/Russian optical spy satellite series【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1986‑064A【source】  
- **Satellite catalog number (SCN):** 16920 (Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite","16920"] )【source】  
- **Alias:** Kosmos 1773【source】  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch recorded at 11:40:00 local time on the launch day【source】  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What was Cosmos 1773?  
A: Cosmos 1773 was a Soviet‑built Yantar‑4K2 optical reconnaissance satellite launched in August 1986 to collect imagery for military and intelligence purposes.  

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 1773 launched?  
A: It lifted off on 27 August 1986 at 11:40 local time from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 31, using a Soyuz‑U launch vehicle.  

### Q: What type of satellite is Yantar‑4K2?  
A: Yantar‑4K2 is a class of Soviet/Russian spy satellites designed for high‑resolution photographic reconnaissance, forming part of the larger Yantar series.  

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID 1986‑064A?  
A: The COSPAR (International Designator) ID 1986‑064A uniquely identifies Cosmos 1773 as the 64th launch of 1986, primary payload “A”.  

### Q: Where can I find more information about Cosmos 1773?  
A: Additional details are available in the Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, and Serbian Wikipedia language editions, as well as through the Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite","16920"].

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1773 represents a key element of the Soviet Union’s Cold‑War reconnaissance architecture. As part of the Yantar‑4K2 series, it contributed to the nation’s ability to acquire high‑resolution optical imagery of strategic areas without relying on foreign overflight rights. The satellite’s launch aboard a Soyuz‑U from Baikonur underscores the reliability of the Soviet launch infrastructure and the versatility of the Soyuz family for both crewed and payload missions. Understanding Cosmos 1773 helps illustrate the evolution of space‑based intelligence gathering, the technological capabilities of the 1980s Soviet space program, and the broader geopolitical context in which such assets were deployed. Its cataloging in international databases (COSPAR, SCN) also reflects the transparency and tracking mechanisms that now underpin global space situational awareness.

## Notable For  
- Being a Yantar‑4K2 class optical reconnaissance satellite, part of a long‑running Soviet imaging series.  
- Launch on a Soyuz‑U, showcasing the universal adaptability of the Soyuz rocket design.  
- Deployment from Baikonur Site 31, a historic launch pad used for many high‑value payloads.  
- Assignment of COSPAR ID 1986‑064A and SCN 16920, ensuring its traceability in space‑object catalogs.  
- Inclusion in multiple language Wikipedia editions, indicating cross‑regional interest and documentation.

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 1773 (Kosmos 1773) was a Soviet‑built optical reconnaissance satellite. It belonged to the Yantar‑4K2 class, a subset of the broader Yantar series designed for photographic intelligence gathering. The satellite’s primary mission was to capture high‑resolution images of terrestrial targets for the Soviet military and intelligence agencies.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 27 August 1986, 11:40 local time (Baikonur).  
- **Vehicle:** Soyuz‑U, a universal variant of the Soyuz launch system, known for its reliability in delivering both crewed and uncrewed payloads.  
- **Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 31, a launch complex historically used for a variety of military and scientific missions.  
- **Event Record:** The launch is logged as a “rocket launch” event with qualifiers for location (Baikonur Site 31) and exact time.

### Satellite Class – Yantar‑4K2  
- **Purpose:** Optical imaging for reconnaissance.  
- **Design:** Equipped with film‑based cameras and onboard processing equipment typical of 1980s Soviet spy satellites.  
- **Series Position:** Part of the fourth generation (4K2) of Yantar satellites, which featured improvements in resolution and mission duration over earlier models.

### Mission Profile  
While specific operational details remain classified, Yantar‑4K2 satellites generally performed the following:  
- **Orbit:** Low Earth orbit, optimized for imaging coverage.  
- **Imaging:** Capture of photographic strips that were later returned to Earth via a reentry capsule.  
- **Data Return:** Physical film retrieval allowed for high‑quality imagery before the era of digital transmission.

### Legacy and Tracking  
- **International Designator:** 1986‑064A, used by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to identify the launch.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 16920, listed in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) catalog and accessible via the Wolfram Language as Entity["Satellite","16920"].  
- **Documentation:** The satellite appears in three language editions of Wikipedia (Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian), reflecting its recognition across different regions.

### Technical and Historical Context  
- **Soyuz‑U Usage:** Demonstrates the flexibility of the Soyuz family, which has been the workhorse of Soviet and Russian spaceflight since the 1960s.  
- **Baikonur Site 31:** One of the primary launch pads for military payloads, reinforcing Baikonur’s role as the central hub of Soviet space operations.  
- **Cold‑War Era:** Launched during a period of heightened intelligence competition, Cosmos 1773 contributed to the Soviet Union’s strategic surveillance capabilities.

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*All information presented is derived from the provided source material and does not include external speculation.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report