# Cosmos 1952
**Wikidata**: [Q12907534](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907534)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1952

## Summary
Cosmos 1952 was a Soviet military spy satellite launched on June 11, 1988. It was a Zenit-8 class spacecraft deployed via a Soyuz-U rocket from the Gagarin's Start launch site.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Cosmos 1952 was an instance of the **Zenit-8**, a class of military spy satellite utilized by the Soviet Union.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on **June 11, 1988**.
*   **Launch Time:** The specific launch time was **10:00:00**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a **Soyuz-U** rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz design.
*   **Launch Site:** The mission launched from **Gagarin's Start**, a historic launch site.
*   **COSPAR ID:** The international designator for this object is **1988-049A**.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** The US Space Command identification number is **19206**.
*   **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as **Kosmos 1952**.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1952?
A: Cosmos 1952 was a military spy satellite belonging to the Zenit-8 class. It was operated by the Soviet Union for reconnaissance purposes.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 1952 launched?
A: The satellite launched on June 11, 1988, at 10:00:00 using a Soyuz-U rocket. It lifted off from the Gagarin's Start launch complex.

### Q: What is the significance of the name "Cosmos 1952"?
A: The name follows the Soviet "Cosmos" designation program, which was used to obfuscate the nature of military missions. This specific mission was the 1,952nd satellite designated under this program.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1952 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's late-Cold War space reconnaissance infrastructure. As a Zenit-8 satellite, it highlights the reliance of the Soviet military on automated space systems to gather intelligence. The mission demonstrates the operational maturity of the Soyuz-U rocket, a workhorse launch vehicle capable of carrying both crewed and uncrewed payloads.

The launch also underscores the historical continuity of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically the use of "Gagarin's Start" (Site 1/5)—the pad used for the first human spaceflight—for critical military deployments. By analyzing Cosmos 1952, researchers can better understand the launch cadence and technological capabilities of Soviet military space assets during the final years of the USSR.

## Notable For
*   **Military Reconnaissance:** It functioned as a spy satellite (Zenit-8 class), directly supporting Soviet military intelligence gathering.
*   **Launch Legacy:** The mission utilized "Gagarin's Start," the launch pad famously used for Vostok 1 in 1961.
*   **Reliable Propulsion:** It was deployed using the Soyuz-U, one of the most frequently used and reliable launch systems in space history.
*   **Naming Convention:** It is part of the widespread "Cosmos" program, which grouped military satellites to mask their specific functions from public scrutiny.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1952 was an artificial satellite operated by the Soviet Union. Its primary function was military reconnaissance, categorizing it within the Zenit-8 class of spy satellites. The satellite was assigned the standard "Cosmos" designation to obscure its military role.

### Launch Specifications
The satellite was successfully launched on **June 11, 1988**. The launch event was precisely timed at **10:00:00**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The satellite was delivered to orbit by a **Soyuz-U** rocket. The Soyuz-U is a variant of the Soyuz rocket family known for its "Universal" application in various mission profiles.
*   **Launch Location:** The launch originated from **Gagarin's Start**, a primary launch complex known for its role in early space exploration history.

### Technical Identifiers
In international cataloging systems, Cosmos 1952 is identified by the following keys:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1988-049A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 19206
*   **Wolfram Language Entity:** `Entity["Satellite", "19206"]`

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report