# Cosmos 1905
**Wikidata**: [Q13566727](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566727)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1905

## Summary
Cosmos 1905 was a Soviet military spy satellite launched on December 25, 1987. Designated as a Zenit 8 class spacecraft, it was deployed into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to support Soviet military reconnaissance operations.

## Key Facts
- **COSPAR ID:** 1987-107A
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 18711
- **Instance of:** Zenit 8 (military spy satellite)
- **Launch Date:** December 25, 1987
- **Launch Time:** 08:44:59
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Operator:** Soviet Union
- **Alternative Name:** Kosmos 1905
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "18711"]

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1905?
A: Cosmos 1905 was a Zenit 8 class military spy satellite used by the Soviet Union for reconnaissance purposes.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 1905 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on December 25, 1987, at 08:44:59 using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Q: What is the significance of the name "Kosmos 1905"?
A: "Kosmos 1905" is an alternative spelling/alias for the satellite. The "Cosmos" designation was standard Soviet practice used to obfuscate the specific military nature of reconnaissance payloads.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1905 serves as a specific historical example of the Soviet Union's extensive military space program during the late Cold War. As a Zenit 8 satellite, it represents the operational capability of Soviet military intelligence to maintain consistent surveillance via specialized spy satellites. The mission illustrates the reliance on the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, described as a "Universal" variant, which served as a workhorse for the Soviet military and space infrastructure. Launching late in the year (December 25), the mission highlights the rigorous launch schedule maintained by the Soviet defense sector regardless of holidays. The satellite's identification via international standards (COSPAR ID 1987-107A) confirms its tracking within the global space surveillance network, distinguishing it from the thousands of other objects launched during the era.

## Notable For
- **Military Classification:** Distinguished as an instance of the **Zenit 8** class, a specific type of military spy satellite utilized by the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Deployed via the **Soyuz-U**, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design widely used by the Soviets.
- **Precise Tracking:** Recorded with a precise launch time of **08:44:59**, allowing for accurate historical orbital tracking.
- **Launch Location:** Launched from **Site 31** at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, a primary operational launch complex distinct from the more commonly cited Site 1.

## Body
### Mission Identity and Classification
Cosmos 1905 is identified in space surveillance records and knowledge bases as a Soviet military spy satellite. Specifically, it is an **instance of a Zenit 8**, a class of satellite used for military reconnaissance. The entity holds the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) **18711** and the international designator **1987-107A**. It is also known by the alias **Kosmos 1905**.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on **December 25, 1987**. The significant event was recorded as a **rocket launch** taking place at the **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31**. The exact point in time for the launch was **08:44:59**.

The launch vehicle used to propel Cosmos 1905 into orbit was the **Soyuz-U**. This vehicle is noted as a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design and was a standard launch system for the Soviet Union during this period.

### Technical and Data References
Cosmos 1905 is referenced across multiple academic and data platforms. It appears in Wikipedia languages including Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr). In computational data, it is represented by the Wolfram Language Entity Code: `Entity["Satellite", "18711"]`. The data regarding its classification and launch parameters is supported by references found in Wikidata and satellite catalog databases.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report