# Cosmos 2101
**Wikidata**: [Q12753610](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753610)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2101

## Summary
Cosmos 2101 (also Kosmos 2101) is an Orlets‑class Russian reconnaissance satellite with spacecraft catalog number (SCN) 20828 and COSPAR ID 1990‑087A. It was launched from Gagarin's Start on 1990‑10‑01 by a Soyuz‑U2 rocket.

## Key Facts
- Cosmos 2101 is an Orlets‑class satellite, a class identified as decommissioned Russian reconnaissance satellites.  
- Spacecraft catalog number (SCN): 20828.  
- COSPAR ID: 1990‑087A.  
- Launch date (point in time): 1990‑10‑01.  
- Launch site (start point): Gagarin's Start.  
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz‑U2.  
- Recorded significant event: rocket launch from Gagarin's Start at 11:00:00 on 1990‑10‑01.  
- Alias: Kosmos 2101.  
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "20828"].  
- Sitelink count: 3 (Wikipedia language entries: mk, sh, sr).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Cosmos 2101?
A: Cosmos 2101 is an Orlets‑class reconnaissance satellite (also listed as Kosmos 2101) registered with SCN 20828 and COSPAR ID 1990‑087A.

### Q: When and from where was Cosmos 2101 launched?
A: Cosmos 2101 was launched on 1990‑10‑01 from Gagarin's Start. The recorded launch time for the rocket event is 11:00:00 on that date.

### Q: What rocket carried Cosmos 2101 into orbit?
A: The launch vehicle for Cosmos 2101 was a Soyuz‑U2 carrier rocket.

### Q: Is Cosmos 2101 still active?
A: The satellite is an instance of the Orlets class, which is identified as decommissioned Russian reconnaissance satellites.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2101 is part of the Orlets family, a line of Russian reconnaissance satellites. As a cataloged spacecraft (SCN 20828, COSPAR 1990‑087A) launched during 1990, it represents a discrete asset within the Soviet/Russian spaceborne reconnaissance infrastructure of its era. The satellite’s launch from Gagarin's Start using a Soyuz‑U2 vehicle ties it to well‑established launch infrastructure and launch vehicle technology of the period. Identifiers such as the COSPAR ID and SCN enable researchers, cataloguers, and analysts to track its orbital records and historical mission data in space object registries and computational knowledge systems (for example, the Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite","20828"]). Its presence in multiple language Wikipedias (mk, sh, sr) and a recorded sitelink count indicate maintained public and archival interest. Understanding individual satellites like Cosmos 2101 helps build an accurate record of reconnaissance satellite deployments and the operational history of Orlets‑class missions.

## Notable For
- Being an Orlets‑class reconnaissance satellite (Orlets is identified as a class of decommissioned Russian reconnaissance satellites).  
- Launch on 1990‑10‑01 from the historic Gagarin's Start pad.  
- Carried to orbit by the Soyuz‑U2 launch vehicle.  
- Cataloged identifiers: SCN 20828 and COSPAR 1990‑087A.  
- Recorded in computational reference systems (Wolfram Language entity Entity["Satellite","20828"]).

## Body

### Overview
- Designation: Cosmos 2101 (alias Kosmos 2101).  
- Class: Orlets (decommissioned Russian reconnaissance satellite class).  
- Primary role: reconnaissance (as indicated by class association).

### Identification and catalog data
- Spacecraft catalog number (SCN): 20828.  
- COSPAR International Designator: 1990‑087A.  
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "20828"].  
- Sitelink count on Wikimedia: 3 (language codes: mk, sh, sr).

### Launch details
- Launch date (point in time): 1990‑10‑01.  
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch.  
  - Location qualifier: Gagarin's Start.  
  - Time qualifier: 11:00:00 (local or recorded launch time).  
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz‑U2.

### Classification and status
- Instance of: Orlets class.  
- The Orlets class is identified in available records as decommissioned Russian reconnaissance satellites.

### Records and references
- Primary structured source references record the SCN, COSPAR ID, launch date, launch site, launch vehicle, and the listed significant event with time.  
- Public language entries exist for Cosmos 2101 in mk, sh, and sr Wikipedias (sitelink count: 3).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report