# Cosmos 1809

> Russian satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q8351327](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8351327)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1809

## Summary  
Cosmos 1809 is a Russian Earth observation satellite launched in 1986. It was part of the Soviet space program and was designed to monitor terrestrial activities from orbit using ionospheric sounding instruments.

## Key Facts  
- Official designation: Cosmos 1809  
- Alternate names: Ionosonde, Kosmos 1809  
- Launch date: December 18, 1986  
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32  
- Launch vehicle: Tsyklon-3  
- Satellite class: Earth observation satellite  
- COSPAR ID: 1986-101A  
- SCN (Spacecraft Number): 17241  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1809?  
A: Cosmos 1809 was an Earth observation satellite used for monitoring the planet from orbit. It likely carried instrumentation for ionospheric research as suggested by one of its aliases, "Ionosonde."

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1809 launched?  
A: Cosmos 1809 was launched on December 18, 1986, at 08:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 in Russia.

### Q: What kind of rocket launched Cosmos 1809?  
A: The satellite was launched using a Tsyklon-3 expendable launch vehicle, developed by the Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1809 represents a component of the extensive Soviet space surveillance and scientific program during the later years of the Cold War. As an Earth observation satellite, it contributed to the USSR's capability to gather environmental and geophysical data globally. Satellites like Cosmos 1809 were instrumental in advancing atmospheric science, particularly through their use of ionosondes—devices that measure properties of the ionosphere. Its deployment reflects the technological and strategic priorities of the Soviet space effort in the mid-1980s.

## Notable For  
- Part of the long-running Cosmos satellite series managed by the Soviet Union and later Russia  
- Launched using the Ukrainian-built Tsyklon-3 rocket  
- Designed for dual-use applications including scientific research and military reconnaissance  
- Identified with multiple international aliases indicating cross-language recognition  
- Represents a standard configuration within Soviet-era remote sensing missions  

## Body  

### Mission Overview  
Cosmos 1809 was a Soviet satellite launched under the standardized “Kosmos” naming convention applied to many satellites in the USSR’s military and scientific programs. It functioned primarily as an Earth observation platform, potentially equipped with sensors for collecting geophysical and atmospheric data.

### Technical Details  
- **SCN (Spacecraft Number)**: 17241  
- **Alternate Designations**: Ionosonde, Kosmos 1809  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1986-101A  
- **Classification**: Earth observation satellite  

The satellite may have included specialized equipment such as an ionosonde, which measures electron density profiles in the ionosphere. This aligns with the naming clue provided by the alias "Ionosonde".

### Launch Specifications  
- **Launch Date**: December 18, 1986  
- **Launch Time**: 08:00 UTC  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 32  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3  

The Tsyklon-3 was a three-stage liquid-fueled expendable launcher commonly used for placing satellites into low Earth orbit. Manufactured collaboratively between the Soviet Union and Ukraine, it played a key role in deploying numerous Cosmos-class missions.

### Operational Context  
As part of the broader Cosmos program, Cosmos 1809 followed a legacy of dual-use satellites serving both civilian and defense purposes. These missions often supported national security objectives while also contributing to global scientific understanding of Earth systems.

### Legacy and Documentation  
Although detailed operational reports are limited, Cosmos 1809 is documented across several language editions of Wikipedia (Spanish, Macedonian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian), reflecting its historical relevance in aerospace history databases and tracking resources such as Google Knowledge Graph and Wolfram Language Entity Codes.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report