# Cosmos 1963
**Wikidata**: [Q12907536](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907536)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1963

## Summary
Cosmos 1963 is a Soviet spy satellite launched on August 16, 1988, as part of the Yantar-4K2 reconnaissance program. It was placed into orbit from the historic Gagarin's Start launch site using a Soyuz-U rocket. The satellite is also known by the alias Kosmos 1963 and is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number 19384.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Yantar-4K2 Soviet/Russian spy satellite
- **Launch Date:** August 16, 1988
- **Launch Time:** 13:00:00
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal variant)
- **Launch Site:** Gagarin's Start
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 19384
- **COSPAR ID:** 1988-070A
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1963
- **Wolfram Language Code:** Entity["Satellite", "19384"]

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Cosmos 1963?
A: Cosmos 1963 was a reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Yantar-4K2 class. It was designed and operated by the Soviet Union for intelligence-gathering and surveillance purposes.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1963?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket. This "Universal" variant is a specific design within the Soyuz rocket family used for various Soviet space missions.

### Q: Where did the launch of Cosmos 1963 take place?
A: The launch occurred at Gagarin's Start, a significant launch facility in the Soviet Union. The event took place at 13:00:00 on August 16, 1988.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1963 represents a specific technical milestone in the Soviet Union's orbital surveillance capabilities during the late 1980s. As a Yantar-4K2 class satellite, it was part of a sophisticated lineage of spy satellites used to maintain strategic intelligence during the Cold War era. Its launch via the Soyuz-U rocket highlights the reliability of the "Universal" Soyuz design, which became a workhorse for the Soviet space program. Furthermore, its departure from Gagarin's Start connects the mission to the historical legacy of the world's first human spaceflight facility. While many details of its specific reconnaissance missions remain classified, its cataloging and identification numbers (SCN 19384 and COSPAR 1988-070A) allow researchers to track the history of Soviet orbital deployments and technical evolution.

## Notable For
- **Satellite Class:** Member of the Yantar-4K2 series, a dedicated class of Soviet/Russian spy satellites.
- **Historic Launch Site:** Deployed from Gagarin's Start, the same facility used for the first human spaceflight.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Utilized the Soyuz-U, the "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket family.
- **International Cataloging:** Recognized in scientific databases under the Wolfram Language entity code for Satellite 19384.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
Cosmos 1963, often referred to as Kosmos 1963, was a Soviet military mission launched during the late 20th century. It is classified as an "instance of" the Yantar-4K2 class, which is a specific designation for Soviet/Russian spy satellites. These satellites were integral to the Soviet Union's reconnaissance infrastructure.

### Launch Specifications
The satellite was launched on August 16, 1988. The significant event of the rocket launch was recorded at 13:00:00. The mission utilized the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, a variant of the Soyuz rocket noted for its "Universal" (U) designation. The launch took place at Gagarin's Start, a primary spaceport facility.

### Identification and Tracking
Cosmos 1963 is tracked globally through several identification systems:
*   **SCN:** 19384
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1988-070A
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "19384"]

### Regional Documentation
Information regarding Cosmos 1963 is maintained in several Wikipedia language editions, specifically Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr). This documentation reflects its historical presence in the space records of the former Eastern Bloc and associated regions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report