# Cosmos 2124
**Wikidata**: [Q13566773](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566773)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2124

## Summary
Cosmos 2124 is a Soviet/Russian spy satellite launched in February 1991 for reconnaissance purposes. It is an instance of the Yantar-4K2 class of satellites and was deployed into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Yantar-4K2 Soviet/Russian spy satellite
- **Launch Date:** February 7, 1991
- **Launch Time:** 18:15:00 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal variant)
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 21092
- **COSPAR ID:** 1991-008A
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "21092"]
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 2124

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of Cosmos 2124?
A: Cosmos 2124 is a reconnaissance satellite designed for intelligence gathering. It belongs to the Yantar-4K2 class, which is a specific lineage of Soviet and Russian spy satellites.

### Q: When was Cosmos 2124 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on February 7, 1991, at exactly 18:15:00 UTC. It was one of the military payloads deployed during the final year of the Soviet Union.

### Q: Which rocket was used to launch Cosmos 2124?
A: Cosmos 2124 was launched using the Soyuz-U rocket. This "Universal" design variant of the Soyuz rocket family was the standard vehicle for this mission.

### Q: Where did the launch of Cosmos 2124 take place?
A: The mission was launched from Site 16 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a major military spaceport located in Russia (formerly the Soviet Union).

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2124 represents a specific mission within the broader Soviet/Russian Yantar-4K2 reconnaissance program. As a spy satellite, its primary role was intelligence gathering during a transitional period in Soviet history, launched in early 1991. Its deployment via the Soyuz-U rocket highlights the Soviet Union's reliance on the "Universal" rocket design for critical military and reconnaissance payloads. 

The satellite's identification through SCN 21092 and COSPAR ID 1991-008A allows for precise tracking and historical documentation of Soviet space assets within the international community. By utilizing the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16, the mission utilized one of the Soviet Union's most significant military launch facilities. While specific mission outcomes are often classified for spy satellites, its existence as part of the Yantar-4K2 class signifies its place in a lineage of Soviet optical reconnaissance technology. Understanding Cosmos 2124 provides insight into the scale and technical execution of late-Cold War era space surveillance operations and the continued use of the Soyuz-U launch system for high-priority military objectives.

## Notable For
- **Classified Lineage:** It is an instance of the Yantar-4K2 class, a dedicated series of Soviet/Russian spy satellites.
- **Standardized Launch Vehicle:** Utilized the Soyuz-U "Universal" rocket, a key variant in the Soyuz family.
- **Strategic Launch Site:** Deployed from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16, a primary facility for Soviet military space operations.
- **International Tracking:** Identified globally by COSPAR ID 1991-008A and Satellite Catalog Number 21092.

## Body

### Mission Overview
Cosmos 2124 (also documented as Kosmos 2124) was a military reconnaissance mission conducted by the Soviet Union. The satellite was launched on February 7, 1991, at 18:15:00 UTC. It is categorized as an "instance of" the Yantar-4K2 class of spy satellites, which were used extensively for intelligence-gathering operations.

### Technical Specifications and Launch
The launch took place at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically from Site 16. The delivery vehicle for the mission was the Soyuz-U, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket family. 

Key identifiers for the satellite include:
- **SCN:** 21092
- **COSPAR ID:** 1991-008A
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "21092"]

### Classification and Heritage
The Yantar-4K2 class, to which Cosmos 2124 belongs, is a recognized series of Soviet/Russian spy satellites. The mission is documented in various international databases and has Wikipedia entries in three languages: Serbian (sr), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Macedonian (mk). The satellite is part of the broader Yantar program, which served as a cornerstone of Soviet orbital reconnaissance.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report