# Cosmos 2123
**Wikidata**: [Q12753620](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753620)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2123

## Summary  
Cosmos 2123 (also known as Kosmos 2123 or РС‑12/13) was a Soviet‑era satellite launched on 5 February 1991. It belonged to both the Tsikada navigation satellite family and the Radio Sputnik series of amateur‑radio satellites, and was placed into orbit by a Kosmos‑3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 5 February 1991 (02:36:45 UTC).  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 133, Russia (formerly the Soviet Union).  
- **Launch vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M rocket.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1991‑007A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 21089.  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 2123, РС‑12/13.  
- **Instance of:** both the *Radio Sputnik* and *Tsikada* satellite classes.  
- **Purpose:** Provides navigation data (Tsikada) and amateur‑radio communications (Radio Sputnik).  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** German, Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the primary mission of Cosmos 2123?  
A: Cosmos 2123 served a dual mission: delivering navigation services as part of the Tsikada system and supporting amateur‑radio communications under the Radio Sputnik program.  

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 2123 launched?  
A: It was launched on 5 February 1991 at 02:36:45 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133 using a Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle.  

### Q: What are the alternative names for Cosmos 2123?  
A: The satellite is also known as Kosmos 2123 and РС‑12/13.  

### Q: Which satellite families does Cosmos 2123 belong to?  
A: It is classified under both the *Tsikada* navigation satellite series and the *Radio Sputnik* amateur‑radio satellite series.  

### Q: Where can I find more information about Cosmos 2123?  
A: Additional details are available on Wikipedia in German, Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, and Serbian, as well as in the Google Knowledge Graph (ID /g/11gy760y1x) and Wolfram Language (Entity["Satellite","21089"]).  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 2123 illustrates the Soviet Union’s strategy of integrating multiple satellite functions into a single platform, combining navigation capabilities with amateur‑radio outreach. As part of the Tsikada constellation, it contributed to the early global positioning services that pre‑dated modern GPS, enhancing maritime and aviation navigation for Soviet and allied users. Simultaneously, its role in the Radio Sputnik series fostered international amateur‑radio contacts, promoting scientific exchange and soft‑power outreach during the final years of the Cold War. Understanding Cosmos 2123 provides insight into the evolution of dual‑purpose satellite technology and the broader context of Soviet space infrastructure in the early 1990s.  

## Notable For  
- **Dual classification:** One of the few satellites simultaneously listed under both *Tsikada* (navigation) and *Radio Sputnik* (amateur‑radio) families.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Utilized the reliable Kosmos‑3M rocket, a workhorse of Soviet launch operations.  
- **Launch site:** Departed from the strategically important Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 133.  
- **Early 1990s timing:** Represented one of the last Soviet‑era satellite deployments before the dissolution of the USSR.  
- **Catalog identifiers:** Assigned COSPAR ID 1991‑007A and SCN 21089, enabling precise tracking in orbital databases.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 2123 is a Soviet satellite launched in early 1991. It carries the designations Kosmos 2123 and РС‑12/13 and is catalogued as SCN 21089. The satellite is part of two distinct program families: the *Tsikada* navigation system and the *Radio Sputnik* amateur‑radio series.

### Mission Profile  
- **Navigation (Tsikada):** Provides positioning data for maritime and aeronautical users within the Soviet navigation network.  
- **Amateur‑Radio (Radio Sputnik):** Hosts transponders that enable amateur operators worldwide to exchange signals, supporting scientific and educational activities.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 5 February 1991, 02:36:45 UTC.  
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 133, in the Russian Federation (formerly the Soviet Union).  
- **Vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M, a two‑stage launch rocket widely used for small to medium payloads.  
- **Event:** Recorded as a “rocket launch” significant event in the satellite’s timeline.

### Technical Classification  
- **Instance of:** Both *Radio Sputnik* and *Tsikada* satellite classes, indicating its dual operational role.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1991‑007A, a unique identifier for space objects assigned by the International Designator system.  
- **SCN:** 21089, the satellite catalog number used by tracking agencies.

### Related Programs  
- **Tsikada series:** A Soviet navigation satellite constellation designed to deliver positioning services before the widespread adoption of GPS.  
- **Radio Sputnik series:** A set of amateur‑radio satellites launched by the Soviet Union and later Russia to promote radio communication and scientific collaboration.  
- **Kosmos‑3M rocket:** The launch vehicle also used for many other Soviet satellites, underscoring its reliability and versatility.

### Documentation & References  
- **Primary source:** Data compiled from Wikidata entry Q6272367 and associated references.  
- **External identifiers:** Google Knowledge Graph ID /g/11gy760y1x and Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite","21089"].  
- **Language resources:** Wikipedia articles exist in German, Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, and Serbian, providing multilingual information.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report