# Cosmos 1866
**Wikidata**: [Q12753491](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753491)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1866

## Summary
Cosmos 1866 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on July 9, 1987. It belonged to the Yantar-4K2 class of spacecraft and was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. The mission was designated under the international COSPAR ID 1987-059A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 1866 is an instance of the Yantar-4K2, a class of Soviet and Russian reconnaissance (spy) satellites.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on July 9, 1987.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered to orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz launch system.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Site 16 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
- **Launch Time:** The significant event (rocket launch) occurred at 16:10:00 on its launch date.
- **COSPAR ID:** The international designator for this object is 1987-059A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 18184.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as "Kosmos 1866."

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1866?
A: Cosmos 1866 was a Yantar-4K2 satellite, which functions as a Soviet/Russian spy satellite used for reconnaissance purposes.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1866 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on July 9, 1987, at 16:10:00 from Site 16 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1866?
A: It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket, which is described as the "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design.

### Q: What are the international identifiers for Cosmos 1866?
A: The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1987-059A and the Satellite Catalog Number 18184.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1866 serves as a specific historical data point within the extensive Soviet "Cosmos" program, which utilized a generic naming convention to obfuscate the nature of military and scientific payloads. As a member of the Yantar-4K2 class, this satellite represents the technological continuation of Soviet space-based reconnaissance capabilities during the late Cold War. The Yantar series was critical for intelligence gathering, and the deployment of Cosmos 1866 via the reliable Soyuz-U launch vehicle highlights the operational standardization of the Soviet military space complex at the time. By cataloging this specific launch—down to the precise minute and launch site—researchers can better map the frequency and hardware utilization of Soviet spy missions from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The assignment of the sequential Cosmos number (1866) places this mission within the broader timeline of the thousands of satellites launched by the USSR.

## Notable For
- **Specific Reconnaissance Class:** It is a confirmed unit of the **Yantar-4K2** class, a specialized type of spy satellite.
- **Precise Launch Data:** The mission features a precise recorded launch time of **16:10:00**, allowing for accurate historical tracking.
- **Launch Infrastructure:** It utilized **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16**, a specific launch complex often used for Soyuz and Kosmos rockets.
- **Universal Launch Vehicle:** The mission employed the **Soyuz-U**, a standard, high-use launch vehicle for Soviet military payloads.

## Body
### Mission Classification and Identity
Cosmos 1866 is officially cataloged as a man-made satellite of the Earth. Its primary classification is that of a **Yantar-4K2**, a class of spacecraft developed and operated by the Soviet Union and later Russia for spy and reconnaissance purposes. In international catalogs, it is indexed under the **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 18184** and the **COSPAR ID 1987-059A**. The name "Kosmos 1866" (or Cosmos 1866) follows the standard Soviet practice of designating military satellites with sequential numbers to mask their specific military functions.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **July 9, 1987**. The launch event took place at the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, specifically from **Site 16** (often referred to as Site 41/1 in some contexts, though the source specifies Site 16).

*   **Rocket Launch Time:** The launch was recorded at 16:10:00.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The payload was delivered using a **Soyuz-U** rocket. This vehicle is a variant of the Soyuz rocket design designated as "Universal," known for its reliability in deploying a wide range of military and scientific payloads.

### Associated Entities
The mission relied on established Soviet space hardware infrastructure.
*   **Rocket:** The Soyuz-U was noted as a Soviet rocket design (Country of origin: Soviet Union).
*   **Satellite Bus:** The Yantar-4K2 platform is the defining technical class for this satellite, linking it to a lineage of Soviet optical reconnaissance satellites.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report