# Cosmos 1944
**Wikidata**: [Q12753531](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753531)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1944

## Summary
Cosmos 1944 is a Soviet spy satellite launched on May 18, 1988, as part of the Yantar-1KFT reconnaissance program. It was deployed from the historic Gagarin's Start launch site using a Soyuz-U rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Yantar-1KFT Soviet spy satellite
- **Launch Date:** May 18, 1988
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal rocket design variant)
- **Launch Site:** Gagarin's Start
- **Launch Time:** 10:30:01
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 19123
- **COSPAR ID:** 1988-041A
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1944

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of Cosmos 1944?
A: Cosmos 1944 is a reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Yantar-1KFT class. It was designed and operated by the Soviet Union for spy satellite operations.

### Q: Which rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1944?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, which is a "Universal" design variant of the Soyuz rocket family. The launch took place on May 18, 1988.

### Q: Where did the Cosmos 1944 mission originate?
A: The mission was launched from Gagarin's Start. The launch occurred at exactly 10:30:01 on the day of deployment.

### Q: How is Cosmos 1944 identified in space catalogs?
A: It is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 19123 and the COSPAR ID 1988-041A. In the Wolfram Language, it is referenced as Entity["Satellite", "19123"].

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1944 represents a specific technical milestone in the Soviet Union's Yantar-1KFT reconnaissance satellite program. Launched in late May 1988, the satellite highlights the operational maturity of the Soyuz-U "Universal" rocket, a launch vehicle variant that played a critical role in Soviet space logistics. By utilizing Gagarin's Start—the same site used for the first human spaceflight—the mission integrated into the core of the Soviet aerospace infrastructure.

The existence of Cosmos 1944, tracked under SCN 19123 and COSPAR ID 1988-041A, provides essential data for the historical study of Cold War-era surveillance capabilities. While specific mission objectives for spy satellites are often restricted, the technical parameters of its launch and its classification as a Yantar-1KFT unit allow researchers to understand the frequency and evolution of Soviet orbital reconnaissance. Its presence in multiple Wikipedia language editions, including Serbian and Macedonian, reflects its continued relevance in the historical record of international space exploration and military history.

## Notable For
- **Class Membership:** Identified as a Yantar-1KFT class Soviet spy satellite.
- **Historic Launch Site:** Deployed from Gagarin's Start, the primary launch pad for early Soviet space achievements.
- **Launch Platform:** Utilized the Soyuz-U, a specific universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
- **Technical Cataloging:** Recognized in the Wolfram Language entity system as Entity["Satellite", "19123"].

## Body

### Mission and Classification
Cosmos 1944, also referred to by the alias Kosmos 1944, is a Soviet reconnaissance satellite. It is categorized as an instance of the Yantar-1KFT class. This specific class of satellite was developed for spy and surveillance operations by the Soviet Union.

### Launch Specifications
The satellite was successfully placed into orbit on May 18, 1988. The launch event was recorded at 10:30:01. The mission utilized the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, which is the "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket series. The launch was conducted from Gagarin's Start, a major facility within the Soviet space program's infrastructure.

### Identification and Documentation
Cosmos 1944 is documented across various technical and academic databases:
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 19123
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1988-041A
*   **Wolfram Language Code:** Entity["Satellite", "19123"]

The satellite maintains a presence in international knowledge bases, with Wikipedia entries available in the Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr) languages. This documentation provides a record of the satellite's place within the broader timeline of 1980s Soviet space missions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report