# Cosmos 1987
**Wikidata**: [Q13566745](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566745)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1987

## Summary  
Cosmos 1987 (also written Kosmos 1987) is a Russian GLONASS navigation satellite that was launched on 10 January 1989 from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 200 aboard a Proton‑K carrier rocket. It carries the COSPAR identifier 1989‑001A and is catalogued as satellite 19749 in the Space‑Track database.

## Key Facts  
- **Satellite designation:** Cosmos 1987 (alias Kosmos 1987).  
- **Mission type:** GLONASS navigation satellite (original GLONASS family).  
- **Launch date and time:** 10 January 1989 at 02:05:25 UTC.  
- **Launch site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 200, Kazakhstan.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Proton‑K rocket, a Russian (formerly Soviet) heavy‑lift carrier.  
- **Space tug:** Blok DM‑2 upper stage used to place the satellite into orbit.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1989‑001A.  
- **Space‑Track catalog number (SCN):** 19749.  
- **Related classes:** Part of the GLONASS navigation system and launched by the Proton‑K family of rockets.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Cosmos 1987?  
A: Cosmos 1987 is a GLONASS navigation satellite launched by the Soviet Union (now Russia) in January 1989 to support the global positioning capabilities of the GLONASS system.  

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 1987 launched?  
A: It was launched on 10 January 1989 at 02:05:25 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 200 using a Proton‑K carrier rocket with a Blok DM‑2 upper stage.  

### Q: What role does Cosmos 1987 play in the GLONASS system?  
A: As a member of the original GLONASS satellite constellation, Cosmos 1987 contributes to the network of orbiting transmitters that provide worldwide navigation and timing services for Russian and international users.  

### Q: What are the identifying numbers for Cosmos 1987?  
A: Its COSPAR identifier is 1989‑001A and its Space‑Track catalog number (SCN) is 19749.  

### Q: Which launch vehicle family does the Proton‑K belong to?  
A: The Proton‑K is a heavy‑lift carrier rocket developed in the Soviet era and continued in use by Russia; it has been employed for numerous high‑orbit missions, including GLONASS satellites.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1987 is a critical component of the GLONASS navigation constellation, Russia’s counterpart to the United States’ GPS system. By providing precise positioning, navigation, and timing data, the satellite supports a wide range of civilian and military applications, from maritime and aviation navigation to telecommunications synchronization. Its launch aboard the proven Proton‑K vehicle underscores the reliability of Russia’s heavy‑lift launch infrastructure, while the use of the Blok DM‑2 upper stage demonstrates the modular approach to delivering payloads into medium Earth orbit. As part of the original GLONASS fleet, Cosmos 1987 helped establish the baseline coverage and performance that the system builds upon today, contributing to global navigation redundancy and enhancing geopolitical autonomy in satellite‑based positioning services.  

## Notable For  
- First GLONASS satellite launched in the 1989 launch window (COSPAR 1989‑001A).  
- Utilised the Proton‑K heavy‑lift rocket, a workhorse of Soviet/Russian spaceflight.  
- Employed the Blok DM‑2 upper stage, showcasing modular orbital insertion capability.  
- Assigned catalog number 19749 in the Space‑Track database, enabling precise tracking.  
- Part of the original GLONASS family that laid the groundwork for today’s global navigation network.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 1987, also known as Kosmos 1987, is a navigation satellite belonging to the original GLONASS constellation. It was designed to transmit timing and positioning signals to users worldwide, forming part of Russia’s strategic satellite navigation infrastructure.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 10 January 1989, 02:05:25 UTC.  
- **Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 200 (Kazakhstan).  
- **Vehicle:** Proton‑K, a three‑stage heavy‑lift launch rocket.  
- **Upper Stage:** Blok DM‑2, responsible for the final orbital insertion.  
- **Event:** Recorded as a “rocket launch” significant event in mission logs.  

### Technical Specifications  
| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| Satellite type | GLONASS navigation satellite |
| COSPAR ID | 1989‑001A |
| Space‑Track SCN | 19749 |
| Launch vehicle | Proton‑K |
| Upper stage | Blok DM‑2 |
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 |
| Launch date | 1989‑01‑10 |

### Role in the GLONASS System  
Cosmos 1987 operates in medium Earth orbit, transmitting navigation signals that are combined with those from other GLONASS satellites to deliver accurate positioning data. Its inclusion in the original GLONASS fleet ensured the constellation’s early coverage and redundancy, enabling reliable service for both civilian and military users.  

### Related Systems  
- **GLONASS:** The broader Russian global navigation satellite system of which Cosmos 1987 is a member.  
- **Proton‑K:** The launch vehicle class used for many GLONASS deployments, reflecting its long‑standing role in Russian space operations.  

### References & Further Reading  
- Wikidata entry (SCN 19749) and associated academic sources.  
- Multilingual Wikipedia pages in Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).  
- Wolfram Language entity code: `Entity["Satellite", "19749"]`.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report