# Cosmos 1821
**Wikidata**: [Q12907501](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907501)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1821

## Summary
Cosmos 1821 is a Soviet satellite launched on February 18, 1987, as part of the Parus class of navigation satellites. It was deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 to support military navigation and communication systems. The satellite is identified by its COSPAR ID 1987-017A and SCN 17525.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: February 18, 1987
- **COSPAR ID**: 1987-017A
- **Satellite Class**: Parus
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- **SCN Number**: 17525
- **Mission Role**: Military navigation and communication support

## FAQs
### Q: When was Cosmos 1821 launched?
A: Cosmos 1821 was launched on February 18, 1987, at 13:53:20 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1821?
A: It was part of the Parus satellite system, designed to provide navigation and communication support for Soviet/Russian military operations.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1821?
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet/Russian carrier vehicle widely used for small satellite deployments.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1821 played a role in the Soviet Union’s military satellite infrastructure as part of the Parus navigation system. These satellites were critical for enhancing strategic communication and positioning capabilities during the Cold War era. While individual Parus satellites like Cosmos 1821 were not publicly high-profile, their collective contribution to military logistics and operations underscored their importance in maintaining operational readiness. The use of the reliable Kosmos-3M rocket highlighted the efficiency of Soviet space launch systems for deploying such assets.

## Notable For
- **Parus Class Membership**: Part of a series of navigation satellites designed for military use.
- **Kosmos-3M Rocket Deployment**: Utilized a launch vehicle known for its reliability and cost-effectiveness in small satellite missions.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Launch**: Originated from a key Soviet/Russian space launch facility, reflecting its strategic military significance.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date and Time**: February 18, 1987, at 13:53:20 UTC
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, a facility primarily used for military satellite launches
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M (a lightweight, three-stage rocket derived from the R-14 Chusovaya ICBM)

### Satellite Specifications
- **Identification**: 
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1987-017A
  - **SCN**: 17525
- **Class**: Parus, a Soviet/Russian satellite bus designed for navigation and communication missions

### Mission Context
- **Role**: Part of a constellation of satellites providing timing, navigation, and data relay services to Soviet/Russian military forces
- **Operational Period**: Contributed to the Parus system’s longevity, which remained operational well beyond the Soviet era
- **Technical Heritage**: The Kosmos-3M rocket, used for this launch, was a staple of Soviet space infrastructure, launching over 400 satellites between 1967 and 2010.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report