# Cosmos 1893
**Wikidata**: [Q13566724](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566724)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1893

## Summary
Cosmos 1893 is a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched on October 22, 1987, as part of the Yantar-4K2 program. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. The mission represents one of many spy satellites operated by the Soviet Union during the Cold War era.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 1893
- Alternate name: Kosmos 1893
- COSPAR ID: 1987-089A
- Satellite class: Yantar-4K2 (reconnaissance satellite)
- Launch date: October 22, 1987
- Launch time: 14:24:57 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-U
- Operator: Soviet Union
- SCN (Satellite Catalog Number): 18432

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1893?
A: Cosmos 1893 was a reconnaissance satellite designed for intelligence-gathering purposes under the Soviet Yantar program. Its primary function was optical surveillance from orbit.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1893 launched?
A: Cosmos 1893 was launched on October 22, 1987, at 14:24:57 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What type of rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1893?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U carrier rocket, a widely used variant of the Soyuz family developed by the Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1893 exemplifies the extensive military space programs conducted by the Soviet Union during the later stages of the Cold War. As part of the Yantar-4K2 series, it contributed to strategic reconnaissance capabilities critical to national security operations. These missions played a key role in geopolitical intelligence efforts and demonstrated advanced orbital imaging technology of the period. Understanding missions like Cosmos 1893 provides insight into historical developments in space-based surveillance systems and their influence on global military strategy.

## Notable For
- Part of the classified Yantar-4K2 reconnaissance satellite program
- Launched during peak Cold War activity in Soviet space-based intelligence operations
- Utilized the reliable and frequently used Soyuz-U launch system
- One of multiple Cosmos-designated satellites indicating routine use of the naming convention for Soviet military launches
- Represents technological advancement in photo-reconnaissance satellites of the late 1980s

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1893 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Yantar-4K2 class. Satellites in this category were primarily tasked with collecting photographic intelligence from low Earth orbit.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft was cataloged under the international identifier 1987-089A and assigned Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 18432 by the U.S. Space Command. It was part of the broader Cosmos naming scheme applied to various Soviet satellites, often those associated with military or experimental missions.

### Launch Details
- **Date**: October 22, 1987  
- **Time**: 14:24:57 UTC  
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 16  
- **Vehicle**: Soyuz-U  

The launch occurred toward the end of the Cold War, reflecting continued investment in space-based intelligence assets despite political shifts.

### Program Context
As a member of the Yantar program—specifically the Yantar-4K2 subclass—Cosmos 1893 followed earlier models optimized for returning film canisters containing high-resolution imagery of terrestrial targets. These satellites represented a mature phase in Soviet optical reconnaissance technology before transitioning to more modern digital systems.

### Legacy and Documentation
While detailed operational information remains limited due to classification, Cosmos 1893 is documented through orbital tracking databases and secondary aerospace references. It contributes to the historical record of Soviet space activities and illustrates the scale of military spaceflight operations during the final decade of the USSR.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report