# Cosmos 2074
**Wikidata**: [Q12753596](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753596)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2074

## Summary
Cosmos 2074 was a Soviet Parus-class navigation satellite launched on April 20, 1990, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was carried into orbit by a Kosmos-3M rocket and operated as part of the Soviet Union's maritime navigation system. The satellite is cataloged as object 20577 in the international satellite registry.

## Key Facts
- Launched on April 20, 1990, at 18:41:08 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133
- Satellite catalog number (SCN): 20577
- COSPAR ID: 1990-036A
- Satellite class: Parus (a Soviet maritime navigation satellite)
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket
- Operated by the Soviet Union (now Russia)
- Has Wikipedia articles in Croatian, Macedonian, Serbian, and Serbo-Croatian
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "20577"]

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2074?
A: Cosmos 2074 was a Parus-class navigation satellite designed to support Soviet maritime navigation and positioning systems, providing location data for ships and submarines.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2074 launched?
A: It was launched on April 20, 1990, at 18:41:08 UTC from Site 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

### Q: What type of rocket launched Cosmos 2074?
A: Cosmos 2074 was launched aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet-era launch vehicle used for small satellites.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2074 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's Parus navigation satellite system, which was crucial for maritime operations during the Cold War era. These satellites provided essential positioning and timing data for naval vessels, particularly submarines, enabling precise navigation in the vast Soviet territorial waters and beyond. As part of the broader Parus constellation, Cosmos 2074 contributed to the Soviet military's ability to maintain strategic capabilities at sea. The continued operation of Parus-derived systems into the modern era underscores the lasting importance of this technology in Russian naval operations.

## Notable For
- Part of the Parus navigation satellite constellation, a predecessor to modern Russian GLONASS
- Launched during the final years of the Soviet space program
- Operated as a specialized maritime navigation satellite for naval applications
- Successfully placed in orbit by the reliable Kosmos-3M launch vehicle
- Maintained in the international satellite catalog as object 20577

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Cosmos 2074 was a Parus-class satellite, which was a specialized type of Soviet navigation satellite designed for maritime applications. The Parus system was the Soviet equivalent of Western navigation satellite systems, providing positioning data for naval vessels and submarines.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on April 20, 1990, at exactly 18:41:08 UTC from Site 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Plesetsk, located in northern Russia, was the primary launch site for Soviet military and navigation satellites. The Kosmos-3M rocket, a proven small satellite launcher, successfully delivered Cosmos 2074 to its intended orbit.

### Operational Role
As a Parus satellite, Cosmos 2074 was part of a constellation that provided navigation and timing signals to Soviet naval vessels. These satellites operated in specific orbital configurations to ensure continuous coverage for maritime operations. The Parus system was particularly important for submarine navigation, allowing submerged vessels to maintain accurate positioning without surfacing.

### Legacy
Cosmos 2074 represents the technological bridge between early Soviet navigation systems and modern Russian satellite navigation capabilities. The Parus system, while less well-known internationally than systems like GPS, was crucial for Soviet naval operations during the Cold War and continues to influence Russian space-based navigation technology today.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report