# Cosmos 1986
**Wikidata**: [Q12753553](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753553)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1986

## Summary  
Cosmos 1986 (also known as Kosmos 1986) was a Soviet spy satellite launched in 1988 as part of the Yantar-1KFT class. It was designed for reconnaissance missions and launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from Gagarin's Start.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: December 29, 1988, at 10:00:00 UTC.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1988-116A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 19734.  
- **Class**: Yantar-1KFT, a Soviet reconnaissance satellite.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket variant.  
- **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start (Baikonur Cosmodrome).  
- **Aliases**: Kosmos 1986.  
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch on December 29, 1988.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1986?  
A: Cosmos 1986 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite, part of the Yantar-1KFT class, designed for intelligence-gathering missions.  

### Q: What rocket launched Cosmos 1986?  
A: It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz design used by the Soviet Union.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 1986 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Gagarin's Start, a historic launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1986 was part of the Soviet Union's Yantar satellite program, which played a critical role in Cold War-era military reconnaissance. These satellites provided high-resolution imagery for intelligence purposes, contributing to strategic decision-making. The use of the Soyuz-U rocket, a reliable workhorse of Soviet spaceflight, underscores the program's operational efficiency. Its launch reflects the broader geopolitical tensions of the late 1980s and the technological advancements in satellite surveillance.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Reconnaissance**: Part of the Yantar-1KFT class, specializing in photographic intelligence.  
- **Soyuz-U Launch**: Demonstrated the reliability of Soviet launch systems.  
- **Cold War Context**: Highlighted the ongoing space-based espionage efforts during the late Cold War.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: December 29, 1988.  
- **Time**: 10:00:00 UTC.  
- **Site**: Gagarin's Start, Baikonur Cosmodrome.  
- **Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Yantar-1KFT (Soviet reconnaissance satellite).  
- **Catalog Number**: 19734.  
- **Alias**: Kosmos 1986.  

### Mission Context  
- **Purpose**: Military reconnaissance and imagery intelligence.  
- **Program**: Part of the broader Yantar satellite series operated by the Soviet Union.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report