# Cosmos 187

> spacecraft launch

**Wikidata**: [Q12248272](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12248272)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-187

## Summary
Cosmos 187 was a Soviet spacecraft launched on October 28, 1967, as part of the Cold War-era space and military programs. It was an orbital warhead design (OGCh) deployed using the R-36-O launch vehicle, marking a key development in the USSR's strategic space capabilities.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 187 (also known as Kosmos 187)
- Launch date: October 28, 1967
- Launch time: 13:15:01 UTC
- Launch vehicle: R-36-O (Soviet orbital missile)
- Spacecraft class: OGCh (orbital warhead design)
- COSPAR ID: 1967-106A
- SCN code: 03016
- Wikidata entity reference: spacecraft launch
- Language coverage on Wikipedia: Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian

## FAQs
### Q: What was Cosmos 187 used for?
A: Cosmos 187 was an orbital warhead design (OGCh), developed as part of the Soviet Union’s military space program during the Cold War. Its purpose was to test and demonstrate orbital weapons systems capable of delivering nuclear payloads.

### Q: When was Cosmos 187 launched?
A: Cosmos 187 was launched on October 28, 1967, at 13:15:01 UTC. The launch occurred during the height of the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States.

### Q: How was Cosmos 187 launched into orbit?
A: Cosmos 187 was launched using the R-36-O, a modified version of the R-36 intercontinental ballistic missile specifically adapted for placing satellites and warheads into low Earth orbit.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 187 represents a critical component of the Soviet Union's efforts to develop orbital weapons systems during the Cold War. As part of the broader Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) initiative, it demonstrated the capability to deploy nuclear warheads into orbit, bypassing early warning systems that monitored traditional ballistic missile trajectories. This technological advancement heightened tensions between global superpowers and underscored the militarization of space. Though largely overshadowed by crewed missions and scientific satellites, Cosmos 187 reflects the dual-use nature of space technology—where advancements could serve both peaceful exploration and strategic deterrence purposes.

## Notable For
- Being classified as an OGCh orbital warhead system designed for military use
- Utilizing the R-36-O, one of the earliest dedicated orbital launch vehicles derived from ICBMs
- Representing a milestone in Soviet efforts toward Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems (FOBS)
- Launching during a period of intense competition in military space technologies between the US and USSR
- Having multiple international Wikipedia entries despite limited public information due to its classified nature

## Body

### Mission Overview
Cosmos 187 was a Soviet spacecraft launched under the Cosmos naming convention, which typically encompassed experimental and military missions. Classified as an OGCh-class orbital warhead, it served as part of the Soviet Union's strategic defense initiatives aimed at enhancing nuclear delivery capabilities through unconventional orbital paths.

### Technical Specifications
- **Class**: OGCh (Orbital Warhead Design)
- **Launch Vehicle**: R-36-O (a variant of the R-36 ICBM adapted for orbital insertion)
- **COSPAR Identifier**: 1967-106A
- **SCN Code**: 03016
- **Launch Date and Time**: October 28, 1967, at 13:15:01 UTC

The OGCh designation indicates that the payload was intended for orbital deployment with potential offensive applications. These systems were precursors to larger FOBS deployments, allowing warheads to approach targets from unexpected directions.

### Launch Details
The launch took place on October 28, 1967, utilizing the R-36-O rocket—a specially modified version of the R-36洲际弹道导弹 (SS-9 Scarp). Unlike standard ICBMs, the R-36-O was optimized for placing heavy payloads into low Earth orbit rather than following a direct sub-orbital trajectory.

This mission contributed to the Soviet strategy of developing orbital bombardment platforms, which offered tactical advantages over conventional missiles by avoiding detection from northern hemisphere early-warning radars.

### Historical Context
During the late 1960s, the Soviet Union pursued several parallel tracks in advancing their space-based military capabilities. Missions like Cosmos 187 played a foundational role in testing components and procedures necessary for more advanced orbital weapon systems. While many details remain classified, these launches signaled growing concerns about the weaponization of outer space during the Cold War era.

### Legacy and Documentation
Although detailed operational data is sparse, Cosmos 187 has been documented academically and appears across various language editions of Wikipedia including Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian. Its inclusion in databases such as Wolfram Alpha further confirms its recognition within aerospace and historical contexts.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report