# Cosmos 2049
**Wikidata**: [Q12907563](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907563)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2049

## Summary
Cosmos 2049 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1989 as part of the Yantar-4KS1 class of spy satellites. It was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket from Gagarin's Start, a historic launch site in Kazakhstan. The satellite played a role in the Soviet Union's military surveillance efforts during the Cold War.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: November 17, 1989, at 10:50:00 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1989-088A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 20320.
- **Class**: Yantar-4KS1, a Soviet spy satellite design.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz family developed by the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start (Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 1).
- **Mission Type**: Military reconnaissance.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2049?
A: Cosmos 2049 was a Soviet spy satellite designed for military reconnaissance as part of the Yantar-4KS1 program.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2049 launched?
A: It launched on November 17, 1989, at 10:50:00 UTC from Gagarin's Start in Kazakhstan.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 2049?
A: The satellite was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket, a reliable Soviet launch vehicle variant.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2049 represents a component of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based reconnaissance efforts. As part of the Yantar-4KS1 class, it contributed to photographic intelligence gathering, a critical function for military strategy and surveillance. The use of the Soyuz-U rocket underscores the reliability and versatility of the Soyuz family, which remains a cornerstone of Russian space launches. While individual Yantar satellites like Cosmos 2049 were not publicly detailed due to their classified nature, their existence highlights the strategic importance of space assets during the Cold War. This satellite is emblematic of the broader competition in space technology between superpowers, demonstrating how orbital platforms were leveraged for national security objectives.

## Notable For
- **Yantar-4KS1 Class Membership**: Part of a specialized Soviet spy satellite series focused on high-resolution imaging.
- **Soyuz-U Launch Vehicle**: Utilized a widely used and dependable Soviet rocket variant.
- **Gagarin's Start Launch Site**: Launched from the historic pad associated with Yuri Gagarin's 1961 mission.
- **Limited Public Documentation**: Reflects the secretive nature of Soviet military space programs.
- **Cold War Context**: Operated during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions, underscoring the role of satellites in intelligence-gathering.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: November 17, 1989, at 10:50:00 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start (Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 1), a facility with significant historical importance for Soviet and Russian space missions.
- **Rocket**: Soyuz-U, a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket family, known for its reliability in launching satellites and Progress spacecraft.

### Satellite Class
- **Yantar-4KS1**: A Soviet-era spy satellite design optimized for photographic reconnaissance. These satellites typically operated in low Earth orbit and returned film canisters via capsules that re-entered the atmosphere.
- **Function**: Designed to capture high-resolution imagery of strategic targets, supporting military intelligence operations.

### Mission Context
- **Cold War Surveillance**: Cosmos 2049 operated during a period of intense rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States, where space-based reconnaissance was critical for verifying arms control agreements and monitoring military activities.
- **Secrecy**: Like many Yantar satellites, specific mission details (e.g., orbital parameters, operational duration) were not publicly disclosed due to the classified nature of the program.
- **Soyuz-U Significance**: The use of the Soyuz-U rocket reflects its status as a workhorse launch vehicle, which conducted numerous military and civilian satellite deployments from the 1970s onward.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report