# Cosmos 2061
**Wikidata**: [Q12753593](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753593)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2061

## Summary
Cosmos 2061 was a Soviet Parus-class navigation satellite launched on March 20, 1990, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-3M rocket. It was assigned the COSPAR ID 1990-023A and the international designator 20527. The satellite operated as part of the Soviet Union's navigation and communication satellite system.

## Key Facts
- Launched on March 20, 1990, at 00:25:22 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133
- Satellite type: Parus-class navigation satellite
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket (Soviet/Russian origin)
- COSPAR ID: 1990-023A
- International designator: 20527
- Mission duration: Operational as a navigation satellite
- Wikipedia presence: Available in Croatian (hr), Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr)
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "20527"]

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2061?
A: Cosmos 2061 was a Parus-class navigation satellite designed for Soviet military and civilian navigation and communication purposes, part of a broader system of positioning satellites.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2061 launched?
A: It was launched on March 20, 1990, at 00:25:22 UTC from Site 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 2061?
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet-era launch vehicle that was also used by Russia after the Soviet Union's dissolution.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2061 represents a significant component of the Soviet Union's space-based navigation infrastructure during the late Cold War era. As a Parus-class satellite, it contributed to the development of global navigation capabilities that preceded modern systems like GPS. The successful deployment of such satellites demonstrated the Soviet Union's technological prowess in space and its commitment to maintaining independent navigation and communication networks. These satellites played crucial roles in military operations, maritime navigation, and potentially civilian applications, showcasing the dual-use nature of space technology during this period.

## Notable For
- Part of the Parus navigation satellite constellation, which was the Soviet counterpart to Western navigation systems
- Launched using the reliable Kosmos-3M rocket, which had a strong track record for medium-lift missions
- Contributed to the Soviet Union's independent navigation capabilities during a critical period of technological competition
- Maintained operational status as a navigation asset in the early 1990s
- Documented in multiple Slavic language Wikipedias, indicating regional significance

## Body
### Technical Specifications and Classification
Cosmos 2061 was classified as a Parus-class satellite, which was a type of Soviet navigation and communication satellite. The Parus system was designed to provide positioning, timing, and communication services, similar to Western navigation satellite systems but developed independently by the Soviet space program.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on March 20, 1990, at precisely 00:25:22 UTC from Site 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Plesetsk, located in northern Russia, was the primary launch site for Soviet military and navigation satellites, chosen for its strategic location and ability to launch into various orbital inclinations.

### Launch Vehicle
The Kosmos-3M rocket, a liquid-fueled two-stage launch vehicle, was responsible for placing Cosmos 2061 into its operational orbit. This rocket, developed in the 1960s, was known for its reliability and was used extensively for launching smaller satellites, including navigation and scientific payloads.

### Operational Context
As a Parus satellite, Cosmos 2061 would have operated within a constellation of similar satellites to provide continuous navigation and communication coverage. These satellites typically operated in specific orbital configurations to ensure global or regional coverage, depending on the system's design parameters.

### Documentation and Legacy
The satellite's presence in multiple Slavic language Wikipedias (Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian) suggests its recognition and documentation across different regions that were once part of Yugoslavia and other Eastern European areas. This documentation indicates the satellite's role in the broader narrative of space exploration and technological development in the region.

### Identification Systems
Cosmos 2061 was assigned multiple identification codes across different systems: the COSPAR ID 1990-023A for international scientific documentation, the international designator 20527 for satellite cataloging purposes, and the Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite", "20527"] for computational recognition and analysis.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report