# Cosmos 2116
**Wikidata**: [Q12753617](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753617)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2116

## Summary
Cosmos 2116 is a Strela-3 class military communications satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1990. It was deployed using a Tsyklon-3 expendable launch vehicle from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome to serve as part of a secure military orbital network.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Strela-3 type military communications satellite
- **Launch Date:** December 22, 1990
- **Launch Time:** 07:28:53
- **Launch Vehicle:** Tsyklon-3 expendable launch vehicle
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 21030
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990-114C
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 2116
- **Origin:** Soviet/Ukrainian aerospace design

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of Cosmos 2116?
A: Cosmos 2116 is a military communications satellite belonging to the Strela-3 class. It was designed to facilitate secure communication and data transfer for military operations.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2116 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on December 22, 1990, at 07:28:53. The launch took place at Site 32 of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

### Q: What rocket was used to carry Cosmos 2116 into orbit?
A: Cosmos 2116 was launched using a Tsyklon-3, which is a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle.

### Q: What are the technical identifiers for Cosmos 2116?
A: It is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 21030 and the COSPAR ID 1990-114C. In technical computing environments, it is referenced by the Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite", "21030"].

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2116 represents a specific era of Soviet military space infrastructure, launched just prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. As a Strela-3 class satellite, it highlights the historical collaboration between Soviet and Ukrainian aerospace engineering, specifically through the use of the Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle. Its deployment from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome underscores the strategic importance of that site for high-latitude orbital insertions. For researchers of space history and orbital mechanics, Cosmos 2116 serves as a documented instance of late-Cold War military communication technology and provides a data point for tracking the evolution of the Strela satellite constellation.

## Notable For
- **Satellite Class:** It is an instance of the Strela-3 series, a specialized type of Ukrainian-designed military communications hardware.
- **Launch Platform:** Utilized the Tsyklon-3, a notable Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle.
- **Precise Launch Record:** Documented with a specific launch timestamp of 07:28:53 on December 22, 1990.
- **International Tracking:** Recognized across multiple international databases under the COSPAR ID 1990-114C and SCN 21030.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
Cosmos 2116, also known by the alias Kosmos 2116, is categorized as a military communications satellite. It is an instance of the Strela-3 class, which refers to a specific type of Ukrainian military communications satellite. These satellites were typically deployed in constellations to ensure reliable data transmission for defense purposes.

### Launch Specifications
The satellite was successfully launched into orbit on December 22, 1990. The event was recorded at 07:28:53 UTC. The launch was conducted from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically utilizing Site 32. 

### Technical and Orbital Data
The mission utilized the Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable rocket. For tracking and cataloging purposes, the satellite was assigned the following identifiers:
*   **SCN:** 21030
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1990-114C
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "21030"]

### Regional and Historical Context
The development and launch of Cosmos 2116 involved significant Ukrainian aerospace contributions, as both the Strela-3 satellite class and the Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle are associated with Ukrainian engineering within the Soviet space program. The satellite's documentation is maintained across several languages, including Croatian (hr), Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report