# Cosmos 1901
**Wikidata**: [Q12753508](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753508)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1901

## Summary
Cosmos 1901 (Kosmos 1901) was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1987 as part of the Yantar-4K2 class. It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and operated as a spy satellite for the Soviet Union.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** December 14, 1987  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1987-102A  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U  
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31  
- **Satellite Class:** Yantar-4K2 (Soviet/Russian spy satellite)  
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number):** 18666  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch at 11:29:59 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31  

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1901?  
A: Cosmos 1901 was a Yantar-4K2-class satellite, designed for reconnaissance missions by the Soviet Union.  

### Q: When was Cosmos 1901 launched?  
A: It was launched on December 14, 1987, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1901?  
A: A Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz launch vehicle, was used for the mission.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1901 was part of the Soviet Union's Yantar satellite program, which played a critical role in Cold War-era intelligence gathering. These satellites provided high-resolution imagery for military and strategic purposes, contributing to Soviet surveillance capabilities. The use of the Soyuz-U rocket, a reliable workhorse of Soviet spaceflight, underscores the program's operational efficiency. While not unique in its class, Cosmos 1901 represents the broader technological and geopolitical competition of the era.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Reconnaissance:** As a Yantar-4K2 satellite, it was optimized for detailed photographic intelligence.  
- **Soyuz-U Launch:** Demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-U rocket for classified missions.  
- **Cold War Context:** Part of Soviet efforts to maintain strategic surveillance during heightened tensions.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date:** December 14, 1987  
- **Time:** 11:29:59 UTC  
- **Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class:** Yantar-4K2 (reconnaissance)  
- **Catalog Number:** 18666  

### Mission Context  
- **Primary Role:** Military imaging reconnaissance  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal variant)  
- **Operator:** Soviet Union

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report