# Cosmos 2120
**Wikidata**: [Q12753619](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753619)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2120

## Summary  
Cosmos 2120 (also written Kosmos 2120) is a Soviet‑built Zenit 8 class military reconnaissance satellite that was launched on 26 December 1990 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz‑U launch vehicle. Its primary purpose was to collect photographic intelligence for the USSR during the final years of the Cold War.

## Key Facts  
- **Satellite class:** Zenit 8 (military spy satellite)【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990‑115A【source】  
- **SCN (Wolfram):** 21035【source】  
- **Launch date:** 26 December 1990【source】  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 16【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Soyuz‑U rocket【source】  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch at 11:10 UTC on 26 December 1990 from Plesetsk Site 16【source】  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 2120【source】  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Cosmos 2120 launched?  
**A:** Cosmos 2120 was launched on 26 December 1990 at 11:10 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16.  

### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 2120?  
**A:** It is a Zenit 8 class military reconnaissance (spy) satellite operated by the Soviet Union.  

### Q: Which rocket carried Cosmos 2120 into orbit?  
**A:** The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz‑U launch vehicle, a variant of the Soyuz family used for a wide range of Soviet payloads.  

### Q: What is the COSPAR identifier for Cosmos 2120?  
**A:** Its COSPAR ID is 1990‑115A.  

### Q: Does Cosmos 2120 have any other names?  
**A:** Yes, it is also known as Kosmos 2120.

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 2120 represents a late‑stage example of the Soviet Union’s Zenit series of optical reconnaissance satellites, a cornerstone of Cold‑War intelligence gathering. By deploying a Zenit 8 platform, the USSR continued to field high‑resolution photographic capabilities that complemented other surveillance assets such as radar and electronic eavesdropping systems. The launch from Plesetsk using the reliable Soyuz‑U booster underscores the integration of proven launch infrastructure with advanced payloads, ensuring rapid deployment of strategic imagery. Although launched just months before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Cosmos 2120 contributed to the final collection of orbital intelligence that informed Soviet military and diplomatic decision‑making. Its existence illustrates the persistence of space‑based reconnaissance in geopolitical strategy and provides historical context for modern satellite surveillance programs.

## Notable For  
- Being a Zenit 8 class satellite, part of the last generation of Soviet optical reconnaissance platforms.  
- Launch from the high‑latitude Plesetsk Cosmodrome, enabling coverage of northern latitudes.  
- Utilisation of the Soyuz‑U launch vehicle, a versatile workhorse of the Soviet space program.  
- Assignment of the COSPAR identifier 1990‑115A, linking it to the international satellite catalog.  
- Inclusion in multiple Wikipedia language editions, reflecting its documented relevance across regions.

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 2120 (Kosmos 2120) is classified as a Zenit 8 military spy satellite. The Zenit series was designed for photographic reconnaissance, capturing high‑resolution images of Earth’s surface for intelligence analysis.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 26 December 1990, 11:10 UTC.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 16, a primary Soviet launch complex for polar and high‑inclination orbits.  
- **Vehicle:** Soyuz‑U, a variant of the Soyuz family optimized for medium‑mass payloads.  

### Classification & Identifiers  
- **Instance of:** Zenit 8 (military reconnaissance).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990‑115A, the international designation for tracking.  
- **SCN:** 21035, the Wolfram Language entity code for satellite data integration.  

### Related Systems  
- **Zenit 8 class:** A line of Soviet spy satellites sharing common optical and structural design.  
- **Soyuz‑U rocket:** Used for a broad spectrum of Soviet payloads, illustrating the vehicle’s adaptability.  

### Historical Context  
Launched during the final year of the Soviet Union, Cosmos 2120 contributed to the nation’s strategic imaging capabilities. Its deployment from Plesetsk highlights the continued reliance on established launch sites for critical defense missions.  

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*All information is drawn directly from the provided source material.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report