# Cosmos 1804
**Wikidata**: [Q12907499](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907499)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1804

## Summary
Cosmos 1804 was a Soviet military spy satellite launched on December 4, 1986. Designated as a Zenit 8 class spacecraft, it was deployed into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Gagarin's Start launch site. It is tracked internationally under the COSPAR ID 1986-095A and Satellite Catalog Number 17179.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Instance of Zenit 8, a class of military spy satellite utilized by the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Date:** December 4, 1986.
- **Launch Time:** 10:10:00.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal variant).
- **Launch Site:** Gagarin's Start.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1986-095A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 17179.
- **Alternate Name:** Kosmos 1804.
- **System Identity:** Identified in the Wolfram Language as `Entity["Satellite", "17179"]`.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1804?
A: Cosmos 1804 was a military spy satellite, specifically classified as a Zenit 8. It was part of the Soviet Union's reconnaissance efforts.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 1804 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on December 4, 1986, at 10:10:00. It utilized a Soyuz-U rocket and lifted off from the Gagarin's Start launch complex.

### Q: What is the international identifier for Cosmos 1804?
A: The satellite's COSPAR ID is 1986-095A, and its Satellite Catalog Number is 17179.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1804 represents a specific data point in the history of the Soviet Union's military space program during the Cold War era. As a Zenit 8 satellite, it illustrates the operational deployment of specialized reconnaissance technology designed for intelligence gathering. The mission highlights the reliance of the Soviet military on the Soyuz-U rocket, a universal launch vehicle that served as a workhorse for numerous satellite deployments. Furthermore, the launch from "Gagarin's Start"—the site of the first human spaceflight—places this military operation within a historically significant infrastructure, connecting the secretive nature of military reconnaissance with the legacy of public space exploration milestones. The assignment of a standard "Cosmos" designation (a practice used to obscure the nature of military missions) reflects the strategic information management practices of the time, while the detailed tracking data (COSPAR ID and SCN) ensures its distinct place in global space catalogs.

## Notable For
- **Military Classification:** Distinguished as a Zenit 8 class satellite, a specific type of military spy satellite used by the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Location:** Launched from the historic Gagarin's Start site, a location typically associated with manned missions but here utilized for military reconnaissance.
- **Universal Rocketry:** Deployed via the Soyuz-U, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
- **Precise Tracking:** Recorded with a precise launch time (10:10:00) and specific catalog numbers (1986-095A, 17179), allowing for accurate historical tracking.

## Body

### Mission Identity and Classification
Cosmos 1804 is formally classified as an **instance of Zenit 8**. This designation identifies it as a **military spy satellite** operated by the **Soviet Union**. Within knowledge bases, it is uniquely identified by the **Wolfram Language entity code** `Entity["Satellite", "17179"]`. It also appears under the alias **Kosmos 1804** in various language editions of Wikipedia, including Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).

### Launch Event and Vehicle
The satellite's significant event was a **rocket launch** that took place on **December 4, 1986**. The launch occurred precisely at **10:10:00**.

*   **Launch Vehicle:** The mission utilized the **Soyuz-U**, a rocket design variant described as "Universal." The Soyuz-U was a standard launch vehicle used by the Soviet Union for a variety of missions.
*   **Launch Site:** The lift-off originated from **Gagarin's Start**, a prominent launch complex.

### Orbital Identifiers
To track the object internationally, Cosmos 1804 was assigned specific identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1986-095A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 17179

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report