# Cosmos 1964
**Wikidata**: [Q12753543](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753543)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1964

## Summary
Cosmos 1964 was a Soviet military spy satellite launched on August 23, 1988. Designated as a Zenit 8 class spacecraft, it was deployed atop a Soyuz-U rocket from the Gagarin's Start launch site. It is identified internationally by the COSPAR ID 1988-072A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 1964 is an instance of a Zenit 8, a class of military spy satellite utilized by the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on August 23, 1988.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket, a Universal design variant of the Soyuz rocket family.
- **Launch Site:** The mission launched from Gagarin's Start, a major launch site.
- **COSPAR ID:** The international designation for this object is 1988-072A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It holds the catalog number 19412.
- **Launch Event specifics:** The rocket launch occurred at precisely 09:20:00.
- **Alternative Name:** The satellite is also known by the alias "Kosmos 1964."

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1964?
A: Cosmos 1964 was a Zenit 8 class satellite, which functions as a military spy satellite used by the Soviet Union for reconnaissance.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 1964 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on August 23, 1988, at 09:20:00, using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Gagarin's Start launch complex.

### Q: What is the international identifier for Cosmos 1964?
A: The satellite is tracked under the COSPAR ID 1988-072A and the Satellite Catalog Number 19412.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1964 serves as a historical example of the Soviet Union's late-Cold War space reconnaissance capabilities. As a specific instance of the Zenit 8 class, it represents the technology and strategy employed by the Soviet military to monitor geopolitical developments from orbit. The mission highlights the reliance on established infrastructure, utilizing the "Universal" Soyuz-U rocket and the historic Gagarin's Start launch pad. By logging this mission under the "Cosmos" designation, the USSR followed its standard protocol of classifying military satellites, a practice that makes detailed entries like this essential for understanding the true scope of their space programs. The precise tracking data available, including the COSPAR ID and specific launch time, allows researchers to accurately correlate this satellite with other orbital events from 1988.

## Notable For
- **Military Application:** Being a dedicated military spy satellite (Zenit 8) rather than a scientific or communications satellite.
- **Launch Location:** Utilizing "Gagarin's Start," the same historic launch pad used for the first human spaceflight.
- **Precise Timing:** having a recorded launch time precise to the second (09:20:00).
- **Designation:** Operating under the "Cosmos" umbrella, a common practice for Soviet military satellites to obscure their specific reconnaissance nature.

## Body

### Mission Classification and Identity
Cosmos 1964 was a man-made object launched by the Soviet Union, classified as an instance of the **Zenit 8** satellite type. The Zenit 8 is explicitly defined in source materials as a "military spy satellite." The entity is listed with the alternative alias **Kosmos 1964** and is tracked in Wolfram Language data as `Entity["Satellite", "19412"]`.

### Launch Details
The satellite's deployment is defined by a specific "rocket launch" event. This event took place on **August 23, 1988**, at **Gagarin's Start**. The launch window was precise, occurring at **09:20:00**.

The delivery system used was the **Soyuz-U**, a rocket design variant described as "Universal." This vehicle was a standard launcher for the Soviet Union, referenced extensively in relation to this mission.

### Technical Identifiers
For the purposes of orbital tracking and academic reference, Cosmos 1964 is identified by the following specific codes:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1988-072A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 19412

These identifiers distinguish the specific satellite from other objects launched during the same period. The satellite's presence is recorded across multiple Wikipedia languages (mk, sh, sr) and has a sitelink count of 3.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report