# Cosmos 1973
**Wikidata**: [Q13566743](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566743)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1973

## Summary
Cosmos 1973 was a Soviet military spy satellite launched on September 22, 1988. Classified as a Zenit 8 spacecraft, it was deployed into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The satellite is identified by the international designator 1988-088A and the Satellite Catalog Number 19521.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Instance of Zenit 8, a class of military spy satellite utilized by the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Date:** September 22, 1988.
- **Launch Time:** 10:20:00.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U rocket.
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1988-088A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 19521.
- **Alternate Name:** Kosmos 1973.
- **Operator:** Soviet Union.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1973?
A: Cosmos 1973 was a Zenit 8 class military spy satellite used by the Soviet Union for reconnaissance purposes.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 1973 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on September 22, 1988, at 10:20:00, aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16.

### Q: What are the international identifiers for Cosmos 1973?
A: The satellite holds the COSPAR ID 1988-088A and the Satellite Catalog Number 19521.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1973 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's late-Cold War space reconnaissance capabilities. As a Zenit 8 satellite, it belonged to a specialized class of military spy satellites designed to gather intelligence, reflecting the strategic priorities of the Soviet military space program during the 1980s. The mission highlights the reliance on the robust Soyuz-U launch vehicle, described as a "Universal" variant, which served as a workhorse for a variety of Soviet payloads. Furthermore, the launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16 underscores the operational importance of this specific launch complex for military orbital insertions. By cataloging this mission under the "Cosmos" designation—a standard Soviet practice for military satellites—the USSR maintained a layer of operational secrecy while still tracking the object internationally via systems like COSPAR and the Satellite Catalog.

## Notable For
- **Military Reconnaissance:** Identified specifically as a military spy satellite (Zenit 8 class).
- **Launch Infrastructure:** Utilized the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16, a key Soviet launch facility.
- **Standardized Nomenclature:** Part of the "Cosmos" series, a broad designation used for Soviet military satellites.
- **Soyuz-U Deployment:** Launched via the Soyuz-U, a major "Universal" rocket variant in the Soviet fleet.

## Body
### Mission Profile and Classification
Cosmos 1973 was a Soviet spacecraft launched under the ongoing "Cosmos" program, a designation used to obfuscate the nature of military missions. Specifically, the satellite was an instance of the **Zenit 8** class. This class is explicitly defined in source records as a military spy satellite used by the Soviet Union.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **September 22, 1988**. The specific launch time was recorded at **10:20:00**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The mission utilized the **Soyuz-U**, a variant of the Soyuz rocket design known as "Universal."
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16**, a major spaceport located in northwestern Russia.

### Identifiers and Technical Data
To facilitate tracking and cataloging, Cosmos 1973 was assigned standard international and internal identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1988-088A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 19521
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "19521"]

The satellite is also referenced by the alias **Kosmos 1973**. While specific orbital parameters are not detailed in the provided source material, the combination of a military designation (Zenit 8) and the launch facility (Plesetsk) aligns with standard Soviet reconnaissance operations of that era.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report