# Cosmos 2180
**Wikidata**: [Q12907596](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907596)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2180

## Summary
Cosmos 2180 was a Soviet Parus-class satellite launched on February 17, 1992, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket and is cataloged as object 21875 in satellite databases. The satellite operated in the Soviet and post-Soviet space surveillance network.

## Key Facts
- Launched on February 17, 1992, at 22:05:08 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133
- Satellite catalog number: 21875
- COSPAR ID: 1992-008A
- Satellite class: Parus (Russian navigation/communications satellite)
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket
- Country of origin: Soviet Union (later Russia)
- Wikipedia languages: Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "21875"]

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 2180?
A: Cosmos 2180 was a Parus-class satellite, which is a Soviet navigation and communications satellite used for military and civilian purposes.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2180 launched?
A: Cosmos 2180 was launched on February 17, 1992, at 22:05:08 UTC from Site 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 2180?
A: Cosmos 2180 was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet-era launch vehicle that was commonly used for military and scientific satellite deployments.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2180 represents a significant component of the Soviet and post-Soviet space infrastructure, specifically within the Parus satellite constellation that provided navigation and communications capabilities. Launched in 1992, it operated during a transitional period for the Russian space program following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Kosmos-3M rocket that launched it was a reliable workhorse of the Soviet and Russian space programs, having launched hundreds of satellites over several decades. As a Parus satellite, Cosmos 2180 would have contributed to the Soviet/Russian military's navigation and positioning capabilities, similar to how GPS functions for Western military forces. The continued operation of such systems demonstrates the strategic importance of independent navigation capabilities for national security and military operations.

## Notable For
- Part of the Parus satellite constellation, which provided Soviet and Russian military navigation capabilities
- Launched during the critical transition period from Soviet to Russian space operations in 1992
- Represents one of the final launches of the Soviet era before complete transition to Russian operations
- Operated as part of a larger network of satellites providing positioning and timing services
- Demonstrates the continued use of Plesetsk Cosmodrome for military satellite launches

## Body
### Launch Details
Cosmos 2180 was launched on February 17, 1992, at exactly 22:05:08 UTC from Site 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a major launch site located in northern Russia. The launch occurred during a significant transitional period for the Soviet space program, which was in the process of becoming the Russian space program following the dissolution of the USSR in December 1991.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite is cataloged as object 21875 in the international satellite database and carries the COSPAR designation 1992-008A. These designations are used by the international space community to track and identify artificial objects in Earth orbit. The satellite's classification as a Parus-type indicates it was part of a specialized constellation designed for navigation and communications purposes.

### Launch Vehicle
Cosmos 2180 was launched aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket, a liquid-fueled launch vehicle that was developed in the 1960s and remained in service for several decades. The Kosmos-3M was particularly valued for its reliability and cost-effectiveness in launching smaller payloads to low Earth orbit. This rocket family was responsible for launching hundreds of satellites throughout its operational history.

### Operational Context
As a Parus satellite, Cosmos 2180 would have been part of a larger constellation providing navigation, positioning, and timing services to Soviet and later Russian military forces. The Parus system served a similar function to Western navigation satellite systems, providing critical capabilities for military operations, including targeting, navigation for ships and aircraft, and timing synchronization for various systems.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report