# Cosmos 2073
**Wikidata**: [Q13566761](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566761)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2073

## Summary
Cosmos 2073 was a Soviet military spy satellite launched on April 17, 1990. Identified as a Zenit 8 class spacecraft, it was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It is cataloged under the COSPAR ID 1990-035A and the Satellite Catalog Number 20573.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 2073 is an instance of the Zenit 8, a class of military spy satellite utilized by the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on April 17, 1990.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered to orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically Site 43/4.
- **Launch Time:** The significant rocket launch event occurred at 08:00:00.
- **Identifiers:** The satellite holds the COSPAR ID 1990-035A and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 20573.
- **Aliases:** It is also known by the alias "Kosmos 2073."
- **Operator:** The satellite was operated by the Soviet Union.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 2073?
A: Cosmos 2073 was a military spy satellite specifically classified as a Zenit 8. It was used by the Soviet Union for reconnaissance purposes.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 2073 launched?
A: Cosmos 2073 was launched on April 17, 1990, at 08:00:00. It was sent into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.

### Q: What is the international identifier for Cosmos 2073?
A: The international COSPAR ID for Cosmos 2073 is 1990-035A, and it is listed in the Satellite Catalog under number 20573.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2073 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's final generation of military reconnaissance capabilities before the state's dissolution in 1991. As a Zenit 8 class satellite, it illustrates the specialized hardware employed by Soviet forces for intelligence gathering, distinguishing it from civilian or scientific payloads. The mission highlights the heavy reliance on the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, a workhorse of the Soviet space program known for its reliability and versatility.

Furthermore, the launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 underscores the strategic importance of this location for military orbital insertions. By maintaining a steady stream of spy satellites like Cosmos 2073, the Soviet Union sustained its situational awareness and strategic monitoring capabilities during a period of significant geopolitical shifts. The detailed tracking data associated with this launch (including specific time and site coordinates) provides precise historical data for understanding late-Cold War space operations.

## Notable For
- Being a specialized **Zenit 8 military spy satellite**, a distinct class dedicated to reconnaissance.
- Launching in **1990**, placing it among the last space assets deployed by the Soviet Union.
- Utilizing the **Soyuz-U** rocket, one of the most frequently used launch systems in space history.
- Deployment from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4**, a key infrastructure point for military launches.
- Having a precise recorded launch time of **08:00:00**, allowing for accurate historical tracking.

## Body

### Mission Classification and Identity
Cosmos 2073 is officially classified as a **Zenit 8** satellite. The Zenit 8 class is defined in the source material as a "military spy satellite used by Soviet Union." The entity operates under the alias "Kosmos 2073" and is encoded in the Wolfram Language as `Entity["Satellite", "20573"]`.

### Launch Specifications
The satellite was successfully launched on **April 17, 1990**. The mission was executed using a **Soyuz-U** launch vehicle, which is described as a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design. The launch originated from the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, specifically from **Site 43/4**.

The significant event of the rocket launch is timestamped with high precision:
- **Point in Time:** 1990-04-17
- **Time:** 08:00:00

### Technical and Administrative Data
The following technical identifiers and administrative properties are associated with Cosmos 2073:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990-035A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 20573
- **Country of Origin/Operation:** Soviet Union
- **Wikipedia Presence:** The entry has sitelinks in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report