# Cosmos 1810
**Wikidata**: [Q12753462](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753462)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1810

## Summary
Cosmos 1810 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched on December 26, 1986. It belonged to the Yantar-4KS1 class of spy satellites, designed for optical intelligence gathering. The satellite was launched from Gagarin's Start using a Soyuz-U rocket.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 1810
- Alternate name: Kosmos 1810
- COSPAR ID: 1986-102A
- SCN number: 17262
- Launch date: December 26, 1986
- Launch time: 11:00 UTC
- Launch site: Gagarin's Start
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-U
- Satellite class: Yantar-4KS1 (reconnaissance)
- Country of origin: Soviet Union

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1810?
A: Cosmos 1810 was a military reconnaissance satellite used by the Soviet Union for optical surveillance. It was part of the Yantar program, which focused on Earth observation and intelligence collection.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1810 launched?
A: Cosmos 1810 was launched on December 26, 1986, at 11:00 UTC from Gagarin's Start launch site in the Soviet Union. It was carried into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket.

### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 1810?
A: Cosmos 1810 is classified as a Yantar-4KS1 satellite, a variant specifically designed for photographic reconnaissance missions. These satellites were commonly used by the Soviet military for intelligence purposes.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1810 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era space-based intelligence infrastructure. As part of the Yantar program, it contributed to the USSR's capability to monitor global activities through high-resolution imagery gathered from orbit. Its launch reflects the technological competition between superpowers during that era and highlights the strategic importance of space assets in national defense systems. Understanding missions like Cosmos 1810 provides insight into historical developments in satellite technology and geopolitical surveillance strategies.

## Notable For
- Being part of the advanced Yantar-4KS1 reconnaissance satellite series
- Launching near the end of the active Yantar program development phase
- Utilizing the reliable and widely-used Soyuz-U launch system
- Contributing to Soviet military intelligence capabilities during the late Cold War period
- Having international identification via COSPAR ID 1986-102A

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1810 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite operated under the broader Yantar program. Designed primarily for optical intelligence gathering, it supported strategic monitoring efforts conducted by the Soviet armed forces.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft falls under the Yantar-4KS1 subclass, known for returning film capsules containing exposed photographic materials rather than transmitting images electronically. This method ensured higher resolution but required precise recovery operations upon reentry.

### Launch Details
- **Date**: December 26, 1986  
- **Time**: 11:00 UTC  
- **Site**: Gagarin's Start (Baikonur Cosmodrome)  
- **Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket  

This launch occurred toward the latter half of the extensive Yantar satellite deployment timeline, indicating continued reliance on proven imaging platforms despite emerging digital technologies.

### Identification & Tracking
- **COSPAR ID**: 1986-102A  
- **SCN Number**: 17262  
- **Aliases**: Kosmos 1810  

These identifiers allow tracking across orbital databases and historical catalogs maintained by space agencies and research institutions.

### Operational Context
As with other Yantar-class missions, Cosmos 1810 likely followed a low Earth orbit profile optimized for Earth observation tasks. While specific orbital parameters or mission duration are not detailed here, such satellites typically remained operational for several months before deorbiting or being decommissioned.

### Legacy
Cosmos 1810 exemplifies the culmination of decades of Soviet advancements in reconnaissance satellite engineering. Though largely superseded by more modern electro-optical systems, its design lineage influenced later generations of Russian intelligence-gathering platforms.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report