# Cosmos 1976
**Wikidata**: [Q12753547](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753547)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1976

## Summary
Cosmos 1976 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite, part of the Zenit 8 program, launched on October 13, 1988. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 1988-094A and SCN number 19582.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 1976
- Alternate name: Kosmos 1976
- Instance of: Zenit 8 military spy satellite
- Launch date: October 13, 1988
- Launch time: 11:19:59 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-U rocket
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- COSPAR ID: 1988-094A
- SCN number: 19582

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1976?
A: Cosmos 1976 was a military reconnaissance satellite designed for intelligence-gathering purposes under the Soviet Union's Zenit 8 program. It was used to conduct optical surveillance from orbit.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1976 launched?
A: Cosmos 1976 was launched on October 13, 1988, at 11:19:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What kind of rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1976?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a commonly used variant of the Soyuz launcher family during the Cold War era.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1976 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era space-based intelligence infrastructure. As part of the Zenit 8 program, it contributed to the USSR's strategic reconnaissance capabilities, enabling high-resolution imaging of terrestrial targets from orbit. These missions were critical for monitoring foreign military activity and geopolitical developments. Its launch reflects the technological competition between global superpowers during the latter stages of the Cold War, showcasing the USSR's continued advancements in space technology and orbital surveillance systems.

## Notable For
- Part of the classified Zenit 8 military reconnaissance satellite series
- Launched during the final years of the Cold War, highlighting ongoing Soviet space-based intelligence efforts
- Utilized the reliable and widely-used Soyuz-U launch system
- One of many Cosmos-designated satellites that formed the backbone of Soviet orbital operations
- Identified by multiple tracking numbers (COSPAR ID 1988-094A, SCN 19582), reflecting international cataloging efforts

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1976 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite operated under the Zenit 8 program. It was designed for optical intelligence gathering and was part of a long line of Cosmos-labeled missions used for various governmental and military functions.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on **October 13, 1988**, at **11:19:59 UTC** from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16**, located in the Arkhangelsk Oblast of the Soviet Union. The launch occurred near the end of the Cold War and demonstrated the continued use of space for strategic military advantage.

### Launch Vehicle
Cosmos 1976 was carried into orbit by a **Soyuz-U** rocket, a variant of the Soyuz family known for its reliability and frequent use in military and civilian launches throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The Soyuz-U model had been utilized in over 700 missions by the late 1980s.

### Identification and Classification
- **COSPAR ID**: 1988-094A  
- **SCN (Space Command Number)**: 19582  
- **Alternate Name**: Kosmos 1976  
- **Classified as**: Zenit 8 — a class of military optical reconnaissance satellites developed by the Soviet Union  

### Operational Context
As with other Zenit-class satellites, Cosmos 1976 likely conducted Earth observation missions focused on surveillance and intelligence collection. These satellites typically returned film canisters to Earth via recoverable capsules, although specific operational details remain classified.

### International Tracking
The satellite has entries in multiple language versions of Wikipedia (Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian) and is recognized by Wolfram Alpha under the identifier Entity["Satellite", "19582"]. This indicates its inclusion in major databases used for tracking artificial objects in Earth orbit.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report