# Cosmos 2104
**Wikidata**: [Q12753613](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753613)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2104

## Summary
Cosmos 2104 was a Soviet military spy satellite launched on November 16, 1990. Identified as a Zenit 8 class spacecraft, it was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. It is tracked under the international designation 1990-098A and the Satellite Catalog Number 20936.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 2104 is an instance of a Zenit 8, a class of military spy satellite utilized by the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on November 16, 1990.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz design.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
- **Launch Time:** The significant event (rocket launch) occurred at 16:30:00.
- **Identifiers:** The entity holds the COSPAR ID 1990-098A and the SATCAT number (SCN) 20936.
- **Aliases:** It is also known by the alias "Kosmos 2104."

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 2104?
A: Cosmos 2104 was a Zenit 8 class military spy satellite used by the Soviet Union for reconnaissance purposes.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 2104 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on November 16, 1990, at 16:30:00, using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.

### Q: What are the international tracking identifiers for Cosmos 2104?
A: The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1990-098A and the Satellite Catalog Number 20936.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2104 serves as a specific historical example of the Soviet Union's operational military space capabilities during the final year of the USSR's existence. As a Zenit 8 satellite, it represents a generation of military spy technology critical to Soviet intelligence gathering. The mission highlights the reliance on the proven Soyuz-U launch vehicle, described as a "Universal" variant, which served as a workhorse for the Soviet space program.

Furthermore, the launch details—specifically the use of Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4—provide precise logistical data for analysts studying the launch cadence and site utilization of the Soviet military space program in 1990. By documenting the specific classifications (Zenit 8) and identifiers (1990-098A), this entry helps distinguish this specific mission from the thousands of other "Cosmos" designated satellites launched between the 1960s and 1990s, ensuring accurate historical and orbital tracking records.

## Notable For
- Being a confirmed **Zenit 8** military spy satellite.
- Launching during the late Soviet era (1990).
- Utilizing the **Soyuz-U** universal rocket variant.
- Being tracked via the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "20936"]`.
- A precise launch time record of **16:30:00**.

## Body
### Mission and Classification
Cosmos 2104 was a spacecraft designated for military purposes under the classification of **Zenit 8**. This class of satellite was explicitly utilized by the Soviet Union for spying and reconnaissance operations. The "Cosmos" designation served as a generic cover name for Soviet military satellites, with this specific entity being the 2,104th such designation.

### Launch Specifications
The satellite was successfully launched on **November 16, 1990**. The mission was facilitated by the **Soyuz-U** rocket, a variant described in records as the "Universal" design of the Soyuz rocket family.

**Launch Site Details:**
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome
- **Pad:** Site 43/4
- **Exact Time:** 16:30:00

### Technical and Orbital Identifiers
The satellite is cataloged in international and computational databases with specific identifiers to distinguish it from other orbital debris and satellites.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990-098A
- **SATCAT (SCN):** 20936
- **Wolfram Language Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "20936"]`

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report