# Cosmos 2174
**Wikidata**: [Q12753643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753643)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2174

## Summary
Cosmos 2174 (also known as Kosmos 2174) was a Soviet spy satellite of the Yantar-1KFT class. It was launched on December 17, 1991, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz-U rocket. The satellite is assigned the COSPAR ID 1991-085A and the Satellite Catalog Number 21816.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 2174 is an instance of the Yantar-1KFT class, a type of Soviet reconnaissance satellite.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on December 17, 1991.
- **Launch Time:** The launch took place at 11:00:00 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **Identifiers:** The satellite holds the COSPAR ID 1991-085A and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 21816.
- **Alternate Name:** It is also referred to as Kosmos 2174.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 2174?
A: Cosmos 2174 was a Soviet spy satellite specifically classified as a Yantar-1KFT spacecraft.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 2174 launched?
A: It was launched on December 17, 1991, at 11:00:00 UTC, using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Q: What are the international identifiers for Cosmos 2174?
A: The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1991-085A and the Satellite Catalog Number 21816.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2174 represents a specific mission within the extensive Soviet reconnaissance program conducted during the final era of the Soviet Union. As a Yantar-1KFT satellite, it was part of a sophisticated lineage of "Yantar" (Amber) spacecraft utilized for imaging and intelligence gathering. The launch occurred in late 1991, placing it among the final space missions executed by the Soviet Union before its dissolution.

The use of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle highlights the reliance on established, universal rocket technology for deploying these critical defense assets. By documenting the specific launch site (Site 31) and exact timing, the entry serves as a precise historical record for tracking the utilization of the Baikonur Cosmodrome and the timeline of Soviet space-based surveillance capabilities.

## Notable For
- **Classification:** Being a specific instance of the Yantar-1KFT Soviet spy satellite series.
- **Timing:** Launching in December 1991, a significant period in Soviet history.
- **Launch Infrastructure:** Utilizing Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, a specific launch complex distinct from the more commonly cited Site 1.
- **Database Tracking:** Being uniquely identified in space catalogs via SCN 21816 and Wolfram Language entity codes.

## Body

### Classification and Designation
Cosmos 2174 is designated as an `instance_of` the **Yantar-1KFT** class. This classification identifies it as a Soviet-era satellite designed for espionage and reconnaissance purposes. In accordance with Soviet naming conventions for military spacecraft, it was assigned the generic "Cosmos" designation to obscure its specific mission profile, though it is also aliased as "Kosmos 2174."

### Launch Operations
The satellite's significant event was a **rocket launch** that took place on **December 17, 1991**. The precise time of the event was recorded at **11:00:00**.
- **Launch Vehicle:** The mission was carried aloft by a **Soyuz-U** rocket. The Soyuz-U is described as a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design, a workhorse launch vehicle developed and utilized by the Soviet Union.
- **Location:** The launch originated from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31** (also known as LC-31/6). This site is a major launch facility at the Baikonur complex.

### Technical Identifiers
For tracking and cataloging purposes, Cosmos 2174 is associated with the following technical data:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1991-085A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 21816
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "21816"]`

### Related Entities
The mission is intrinsically linked to the **Soyuz-U** rocket class and the **Yantar-1KFT** satellite class. The Yantar-1KFT is explicitly categorized as a Soviet spy satellite, while the Soyuz-U is categorized as a Soviet rocket design variant.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report