# Cosmos 1996
**Wikidata**: [Q12753558](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753558)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1996

## Summary
Cosmos 1996 was a Soviet military communications satellite launched on February 10, 1989. Designated as a Strela-3 class spacecraft, it was utilized for military communication purposes. The satellite was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome aboard a Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Cosmos 1996 is an instance of the Strela-3 class of satellites.
*   **Function:** It operated as a Ukrainian military communications satellite.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on February 10, 1989.
*   **Launch Time:** The launch took place at 15:13:00 UTC (specifically 15:13:56).
*   **Launch Site:** It launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The expendable launch vehicle used was a Tsyklon-3.
*   **COSPAR ID:** The international designator for this object is 1989-009C.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** The US Space Command identification number is 19787.
*   **Alternate Name:** The satellite is also known as Kosmos 1996.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1996?
A: Cosmos 1996 was a Strela-3 type satellite, which is a class of Ukrainian military communications spacecraft.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1996 launched?
A: Cosmos 1996 was launched on February 10, 1989, at 15:13:56 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1996?
A: The satellite was launched using a Tsyklon-3 expendable launch vehicle, a Soviet/Ukrainian rocket.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1996 represents a specific entry within the extensive Soviet "Cosmos" satellite program, which served as a blanket designation for a wide variety of military and scientific spacecraft. As a unit of the Strela-3 class, it played a role in the infrastructure of military communications, contributing to the command and control capabilities of the Soviet military apparatus during the late Cold War period.

The launch is notable for its use of the Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle, a robust Soviet/Ukrainian rocket frequently used for deploying satellite constellations. The mission underscores the heavy reliance on the Plesetsk Cosmodrome for military launches, specifically Site 32, which was a critical ground infrastructure point for these operations. By cataloging this specific satellite (SCN 19787, COSPAR 1989-009C), space surveillance networks were able to track yet another man-made object in Earth's orbit, contributing to the broader history of space situational awareness.

## Notable For
*   **Military Application:** It served as a node in the Soviet/Ukrainian military communications network.
*   **Launch Configuration:** It utilized the Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle, a prominent expendable rocket of the era.
*   **Specific Launch Data:** The mission is recorded with precise launch coordinates and timing (Site 32, 15:13:56).
*   **Nomenclature:** It follows the "Cosmos" naming convention used to obscure the specific military nature of Soviet satellites during that era.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1996 was an artificial satellite operating under the Soviet space program. As indicated by its instance classification, it belonged to the **Strela-3** class of satellites. These spacecraft are designed to facilitate military communications, operating within the strategic infrastructure established by the Soviet Union and continued by Ukraine.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully delivered into orbit on **February 10, 1989**. The launch event is classified as a "rocket launch" significant event.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The mission employed a **Tsyklon-3**, an expendable launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union and Ukraine.
*   **Launch Site:** The departure point was **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32**, a major launch complex located in Russia.
*   **Time:** The precise moment of launch was recorded at **15:13:56**.

### Technical Identifiers
To track and identify the satellite within global catalogs, specific identifiers were assigned:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1989-009C
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 19787
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "19787"]

The satellite is referenced across multiple Wikipedia languages, including Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report