# Cosmos 2260
**Wikidata**: [Q13566797](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566797)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2260

## Summary
Cosmos 2260 was a Soviet military spy satellite launched on July 22, 1993, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was part of the Zenit 8 series and was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: July 22, 1993
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit 8 (military spy satellite)
- **COSPAR ID**: 1993-047A
- **SCN (NORAD ID)**: 22721
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union
- **Aliases**: Kosmos 2260

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 2260?
A: Cosmos 2260 was a Zenit 8 military spy satellite used by the Soviet Union for reconnaissance purposes.

### Q: Which rocket launched Cosmos 2260?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome on July 22, 1993.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2260?
A: Cosmos 2260 was a military reconnaissance satellite designed to gather intelligence data for the Soviet Union.

### Q: Where was Cosmos 2260 launched from?
A: The satellite was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID of Cosmos 2260?
A: The COSPAR ID for Cosmos 2260 is 1993-047A.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2260 was part of the Soviet Union's extensive satellite program, which played a crucial role in military reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. The Zenit 8 series of satellites were designed to provide high-resolution imagery and other data to support Soviet military operations. The launch of Cosmos 2260, along with other satellites in the program, contributed to the Soviet Union's ability to monitor global activities, including military movements and strategic targets. The satellite's successful deployment demonstrated the Soviet Union's technological capabilities in space-based reconnaissance, reinforcing its position as a major player in the Cold War-era space race.

## Notable For
- **Military Reconnaissance**: Cosmos 2260 was part of the Zenit 8 series, which was specifically designed for military surveillance and intelligence gathering.
- **Soviet Space Program**: The satellite was launched as part of the Soviet Union's broader space program, which included numerous military and civilian missions.
- **Soyuz-U Launch**: The use of the Soyuz-U rocket for the launch of Cosmos 2260 highlighted the reliability and versatility of this rocket design in the Soviet space program.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**: The launch site, Plesetsk Cosmodrome, was a key facility for the Soviet Union's space activities, including military and scientific missions.

## Body
### Satellite Overview
Cosmos 2260 was a Zenit 8-class military spy satellite launched by the Soviet Union on July 22, 1993. It was part of a series of satellites designed for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: July 22, 1993
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- **Launch Time**: 08:45:00 UTC

### Satellite Specifications
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit 8
- **COSPAR ID**: 1993-047A
- **SCN (NORAD ID)**: 22721
- **Aliases**: Kosmos 2260

### Historical Context
The Zenit 8 series of satellites were part of the Soviet Union's broader military reconnaissance program, which aimed to provide high-resolution imagery and other data to support intelligence operations. The launch of Cosmos 2260 was part of this ongoing effort to maintain a robust space-based reconnaissance capability.

### Significance
Cosmos 2260's successful deployment underscored the Soviet Union's technological advancements in space-based reconnaissance. The satellite contributed to the Soviet Union's ability to monitor global activities, including military movements and strategic targets, reinforcing its position as a major player in the Cold War-era space race.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report