# Cosmos 1881
**Wikidata**: [Q12753499](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753499)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1881

## Summary
Cosmos 1881 was a Soviet spy satellite, classified as a Yantar-4KS1 class spacecraft. It was launched on September 11, 1987, by a Soyuz-U rocket. This satellite played a role in the Soviet Union's space-based intelligence gathering operations.

## Key Facts
*   Cosmos 1881 was a Soviet spy satellite.
*   It belonged to the Yantar-4KS1 class of satellites.
*   The launch of Cosmos 1881 occurred on September 11, 1987.
*   Its launch vehicle was a Soyuz-U rocket.
*   The rocket launch took place at 02:06:00 UTC on September 11, 1987.
*   Cosmos 1881 is identified by the COSPAR ID 1987-076A.
*   It is also known by the alias Kosmos 1881.
*   Its SCN (Satellite Catalog Number) is 18343.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1881?
A: Cosmos 1881 was a Soviet spy satellite. It was specifically categorized as a Yantar-4KS1 class spacecraft, designed for intelligence gathering purposes.

### Q: When was Cosmos 1881 launched?
A: Cosmos 1881 was launched on September 11, 1987. The rocket launch occurred at 02:06:00 UTC on that date.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1881?
A: Cosmos 1881 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket. The Soyuz-U is a variant of the Soyuz rocket design, originating from the Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters
As a Yantar-4KS1 class Soviet spy satellite, Cosmos 1881 was part of the Soviet Union's strategic intelligence infrastructure. Spy satellites are critical assets for national security, providing capabilities for reconnaissance, surveillance, and monitoring activities across the globe. These spacecraft contribute vital information that can influence military planning, political decisions, and international relations by observing developments on Earth from orbit. The deployment of Cosmos 1881 by a Soyuz-U rocket, a workhorse of the Soviet space program, underscores the continuous effort by the Soviet Union to maintain and advance its space-based intelligence capabilities during its operational period. Its existence highlights the ongoing importance of space-based assets for global powers in gathering strategic intelligence.

## Notable For
*   Being a Yantar-4KS1 class Soviet spy satellite.
*   Its launch on September 11, 1987.
*   Being launched by the Soyuz-U rocket.
*   Its COSPAR ID 1987-076A.

## Body

### Classification and Purpose
Cosmos 1881 was classified as a Yantar-4KS1 class satellite. This class of spacecraft served as Soviet spy satellites, indicating their primary purpose was intelligence gathering and reconnaissance for the Soviet Union.

### Launch Details
Cosmos 1881 was launched on September 11, 1987. The specific time of the rocket launch was 02:06:00 UTC. The launch vehicle used for this mission was the Soyuz-U rocket, which is a design variant of the Soyuz rocket family developed in the Soviet Union.

### Identification
The COSPAR ID for Cosmos 1881 is 1987-076A. Its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 18343. The satellite is also known by the alias Kosmos 1881.

### Related Systems
*   **Yantar-4KS1:** Cosmos 1881 is an instance of the Yantar-4KS1 class, which are Soviet spy satellites.
*   **Soyuz-U:** The Soyuz-U rocket, a Soyuz rocket design variant from the Soviet Union, served as the launch vehicle for Cosmos 1881.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report