# Cosmos 2081
**Wikidata**: [Q12907571](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907571)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2081

## Summary  
Cosmos 2081 (also written Kosmos 2081) is a Russian GLONASS navigation satellite that was launched on 19 May 1990 from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 200 aboard a Proton‑K carrier rocket. It forms part of the original GLONASS satellite family used for global positioning services.

## Key Facts  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990‑045C【source】  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 20621【source】  
- **Launch date and time:** 19 May 1990 at 08:32:33 UTC【source】  
- **Launch site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 200【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Proton‑K rocket【source】  
- **Space tug (upper stage):** Blok DM‑2【source】  
- **Instance of:** GLONASS navigation satellite series【source】  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 2081【source】  
- **Related classes:** GLONASS (original family) and Proton‑K (carrier rocket)【source】  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)【source】

## FAQs  

### Q: What is Cosmos 2081?  
**A:** Cosmos 2081 is a GLONASS navigation satellite launched by the Russian (formerly Soviet) space program in 1990 to support the global positioning system operated by Russia.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 2081 launched?  
**A:** It was launched on 19 May 1990 at 08:32:33 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 200, using a Proton‑K carrier rocket equipped with a Blok DM‑2 upper stage.

### Q: What role does Cosmos 2081 play in the GLONASS system?  
**A:** As an original‑generation GLONASS satellite, Cosmos 2081 contributes to the constellation that provides worldwide navigation and timing signals for civilian and military users.

### Q: What are the identifying designations for Cosmos 2081?  
**A:** Its COSPAR identifier is 1990‑045C, and its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 20621. It is also known by the alias Kosmos 2081.

### Q: Which launch vehicle was used for Cosmos 2081?  
**A:** The satellite was launched aboard a Russian Proton‑K rocket, a workhorse launch vehicle for many Soviet and Russian payloads.

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 2081 is a component of the GLONASS constellation, Russia’s counterpart to the United States’ GPS system. By providing precise positioning, navigation, and timing data, GLONASS satellites like Cosmos 2081 enable a wide range of applications—from civilian navigation in smartphones and automobiles to military operations and scientific research. The launch of Cosmos 2081 in 1990 helped maintain the continuity and coverage of the GLONASS network during a pivotal era of post‑Cold‑War space development. Its deployment aboard the reliable Proton‑K launcher underscores the strategic importance Russia places on autonomous global navigation capabilities, reducing reliance on foreign systems and supporting national security, commerce, and technological innovation.

## Notable For  
- **Original‑generation GLONASS satellite:** Part of the first series of navigation satellites deployed by Russia.  
- **Proton‑K launch:** Utilized the high‑capacity Proton‑K rocket, a staple of Soviet/Russian heavy‑lift missions.  
- **Specific launch site:** Lifted from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 200, a historic pad for many GLONASS launches.  
- **Upper‑stage configuration:** Employed the Blok DM‑2 space tug, enabling precise orbital insertion.  
- **Multiple language coverage:** Documented in at least three Wikipedia language editions (mk, sh, sr), reflecting its international relevance.

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 2081 (Kosmos 2081) is classified as a GLONASS navigation satellite. It belongs to the original family of GLONASS satellites that provide global positioning services for Russia and worldwide users.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 19 May 1990, 08:32:33 UTC.  
- **Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 200, Kazakhstan.  
- **Vehicle:** Proton‑K launch vehicle, a three‑stage heavy‑lift rocket.  
- **Upper Stage:** Blok DM‑2 space tug performed the final orbital insertion.  
- **Significant Event:** The rocket launch was recorded as a key event for the site and date.

### Technical Identifiers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990‑045C.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 20621 (as per Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite","20621"]`).  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 2081.  

### Role in the GLONASS Constellation  
As an **instance of** the GLONASS class, Cosmos 2081 contributes to the constellation’s geometry, ensuring sufficient satellite coverage for accurate positioning. The GLONASS system operates on a similar principle to GPS, transmitting timing and orbital data to receivers on Earth.

### Related Classes and Context  
- **GLONASS (class):** The broader navigation satellite family to which Cosmos 2081 belongs.  
- **Proton‑K (class):** The carrier rocket class used for the launch, historically employed for many Soviet/Russian payloads.  

### Documentation and References  
The factual data originates from structured Wikidata entries and academic sources, with citations to the relevant reference IDs (e.g., Q6272367 for launch details, Q200386 for COSPAR ID). Wikipedia language editions (Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian) also contain entries on Cosmos 2081, confirming its recognition across multiple linguistic communities.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report