# Cosmos 2281
**Wikidata**: [Q11668047](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11668047)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2281

## Summary
Cosmos 2281 was a military spy satellite launched on June 7, 1994. It belonged to the Zenit 8 class of spacecraft and was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. It is identified by the international designator 1994-032A and the Satellite Catalog Number 23119.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 2281 is an instance of the Zenit 8 class, a type of military spy satellite utilized by the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on June 7, 1994.
- **Launch Time:** The launch took place at 07:20:00.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16.
- **COSPAR ID:** The satellite bears the international designation 1994-032A.
- **Satellite Number:** It is tracked under the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 23119.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as Kosmos 2281.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 2281?
A: Cosmos 2281 was a military spy satellite specifically classified as a Zenit 8.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2281 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on June 7, 1994, at 07:20:00 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 2281?
A: It was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, which is a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2281 represents a specific data point in the history of military space reconnaissance and the ongoing use of the "Cosmos" designation program. Launched in the mid-1990s, it illustrates the operational continuity of the Zenit 8 military spy satellite platform, a class originally developed and utilized by the Soviet Union. The mission underscores the reliability and longevity of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, described as a "Universal" variant, which served as a workhorse for both military and scientific payloads. By operating under the Cosmos designation—a naming convention used to obscure the military nature of Soviet and later Russian satellites—Cosmos 2281 highlights the secretive nature of reconnaissance operations during this era. Its launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16 further emphasizes its military purpose, as Plesetsk has historically served as the primary launch site for military satellites of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. The satellite's specific identifiers, such as the COSPAR ID 1994-032A and SCN 23119, allow for precise tracking and historical cataloging within global space surveillance databases.

## Notable For
- Being a confirmed military spy satellite (Zenit 8 class).
- Launching aboard the Soyuz-U, a prominent "Universal" rocket variant.
- Utilizing the "Cosmos" naming convention, which aggregates various Soviet and Russian military satellites.
- Being tracked via the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "23119"]`.
- Being launched from the specific infrastructure of Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Classification
Cosmos 2281 was a man-made object launched into orbit for military purposes. Structurally and functionally, it is defined as an **instance of Zenit 8**, a class of spacecraft explicitly described in records as a **military spy satellite**. Like many military assets launched by the Soviet Union and its successors, it was assigned the generic designation "Cosmos" to standardize its identity in public records.

### Technical Identifiers
The satellite is tracked and referenced in academic and space surveillance databases through several specific identifiers:
*   **COSPAR International Designator:** 1994-032A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 23119
*   **Wolfram Language Entity:** `Entity["Satellite", "23119"]`

### Launch Operations
The deployment of Cosmos 2281 was a significant event marked by precise logistical details:
*   **Date of Launch:** June 7, 1994
*   **Time of Launch:** 07:20:00
*   **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The **Soyuz-U**, a rocket design variant noted for its "Universal" application. The Soyuz-U was a standard launch vehicle used extensively during this period.

### Nomenclature and Linguistics
The entity is referred to primarily as **Cosmos 2281**, with the alias **Kosmos 2281**. The satellite's entry has sitelinks in five Wikipedia languages: Croatian (hr), Hungarian (hu), Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr), indicating a regional documentation interest.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report