# Cosmos 2173
**Wikidata**: [Q13566783](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566783)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2173

## Summary
Cosmos 2173 was a Soviet Parus-class navigation satellite launched on November 27, 1991, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was carried into orbit by a Kosmos-3M rocket and operated as part of the Soviet/Russian navigation satellite system.

## Key Facts
- Launched on November 27, 1991, at 03:30:26 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133
- Satellite catalog number (SCN): 21796
- COSPAR ID: 1991-081A
- Satellite class: Parus (Russian navigation satellite)
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket
- Operated by the Soviet Union/Russia
- Has Wikipedia articles in Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "21796"]

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 2173?
A: Cosmos 2173 was a Parus-class navigation satellite, part of the Soviet and later Russian navigation satellite system used for maritime and general navigation purposes.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2173 launched?
A: It was launched on November 27, 1991, at 03:30:26 UTC from Site 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

### Q: What rocket launched Cosmos 2173?
A: Cosmos 2173 was launched aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet-era launch vehicle that was also used by Russia after the Soviet Union's dissolution.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2173 represents the Soviet Union's continued investment in space-based navigation capabilities during the final years before its dissolution. As a Parus-class satellite, it contributed to the Soviet equivalent of GPS, providing crucial navigation data for maritime and other applications. The launch occurred during a pivotal transition period in space history, as the Soviet space program was evolving into the Russian space program. These navigation satellites played a vital role in maintaining Soviet/Russian naval capabilities and supporting various civilian and military navigation needs across the vast territory of the former Soviet Union.

## Notable For
- Final generation of Soviet Parus navigation satellites before the USSR's dissolution
- Part of the Soviet equivalent to the American GPS navigation system
- Launched during the critical transition period between Soviet and Russian space programs
- Operated by the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, one of Russia's primary space launch facilities
- Maintained continuity of Soviet navigation satellite capabilities into the post-Soviet era

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Cosmos 2173 was a Parus-class satellite, which was the Soviet designation for their navigation satellite system. These satellites were designed to provide accurate positioning data for maritime vessels and other users requiring navigation assistance. The Parus system was the Soviet counterpart to Western navigation satellite systems and was crucial for maintaining Soviet naval capabilities across their extensive maritime territories.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133, a launch facility located in northern Russia that has been a key Soviet and Russian spaceport since the 1960s. The launch occurred at precisely 03:30:26 UTC on November 27, 1991, using a Kosmos-3M rocket. This three-stage liquid-fueled rocket was a reliable workhorse of the Soviet and Russian space programs, capable of placing payloads up to 1,500 kg into low Earth orbit.

### Operational Context
As satellite number 21796 in the international catalog, Cosmos 2173 operated during a significant historical period - just weeks before the formal dissolution of the Soviet Union on December 26, 1991. This timing makes it one of the last major Soviet space launches, representing the continuity of Soviet space capabilities as they transitioned to Russian operations. The satellite's COSPAR designation (1991-081A) follows the standard international system for identifying space objects, with the year, launch number, and piece designation providing precise identification for tracking and cataloging purposes.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report