# Cosmos 2096
**Wikidata**: [Q13566767](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566767)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2096

## Summary  
Cosmos 2096 (also written Kosmos 2096) is a Soviet‑Russian military communications satellite launched on 23 August 1990. It was placed into orbit by a Tsyklon‑2 rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 90, receiving the COSPAR designation 1990‑075A and the Satellite Catalog Number 20765.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 23 August 1990 (16:17 UTC).  
- **Launch site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 90, Kazakhstan.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Tsyklon‑2 expendable rocket.  
- **Mission type:** Military satellite (used for defence‑related communications).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990‑075A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 20765.  
- **Alternative name:** Kosmos 2096.  
- **Related classes:** Part of the broader “military satellite” class and launched aboard a “Tsyklon‑2” launch vehicle.  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2096?  
A: Cosmos 2096 was built as a military satellite, intended to support Soviet/Russian defence communications and related operations.  

### Q: Which rocket launched Cosmos 2096 and from where?  
A: It was launched aboard a Tsyklon‑2 rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 90 on 23 August 1990.  

### Q: How can Cosmos 2096 be identified in space‑tracking databases?  
A: It is listed under the COSPAR ID 1990‑075A and the Satellite Catalog Number 20765.  

### Q: Are there other language versions of the Cosmos 2096 article?  
A: Yes, the satellite has Wikipedia entries in Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).  

### Q: What class of satellite does Cosmos 2096 belong to?  
A: It belongs to the “military satellite” class, indicating its use for defence‑related missions.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 2096 exemplifies the Cold‑War era practice of deploying dedicated military satellites to secure secure, reliable communications for strategic forces. Launched in 1990, it was part of the final wave of Soviet‑era space assets before the dissolution of the USSR, highlighting the continuity of military space capabilities into the post‑Soviet period. The use of the Tsyklon‑2 launch vehicle—an expendable, reliable workhorse—demonstrates the logistical efficiency of the Soviet launch infrastructure. By maintaining a dedicated communications node in orbit, Cosmos 2096 contributed to the resilience of command‑and‑control networks, a critical component of national security. Understanding its specifications and launch context provides insight into the evolution of military satellite programs, the technological lineage of launch vehicles, and the strategic priorities of the era.

## Notable For  
- Being one of the last military satellites launched under the Soviet Union before its 1991 dissolution.  
- Utilising the Tsyklon‑2 launch vehicle, a proven expendable rocket that saw extensive use for military payloads.  
- Carrying the Satellite Catalog Number 20765, a unique identifier used by international tracking agencies.  
- Launching from Baikonur’s Site 90, a key launch pad for many Soviet military missions.  

## Body  

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 23 August 1990, 16:17 UTC.  
- **Location:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 90, Kazakhstan.  
- **Vehicle:** Tsyklon‑2, an expendable launch system developed in the Soviet Union and later operated by Ukraine.  

### Mission Classification  
- **Instance of:** Military satellite – an artificial satellite designed for defence‑related tasks such as secure communications.  
- **Related Classes:** Part of the broader “military satellite” category; launched aboard a “Tsyklon‑2” class launch vehicle.  

### Identification Numbers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990‑075A – the international designator assigned to the launch.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 20765 – the tracking number used by space‑situational‑awareness entities.  

### Naming and Language Coverage  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 2096, reflecting the Russian transliteration “Космос”.  
- **Wikipedia Languages:** Articles exist in Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).  

### Technical Context  
- **Launch Vehicle Heritage:** Tsyklon‑2 was derived from the R‑7 family and was known for its reliability in placing payloads into low‑Earth orbit.  
- **Launch Site Significance:** Baikonur Site 90 has historically supported numerous military and scientific missions, underscoring its strategic importance.  

### Legacy  
- Cosmos 2096 remains catalogued in global space‑tracking databases, serving as a reference point for the transition of Soviet military space operations into the post‑Cold‑War era.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report