# Cosmos 2311
**Wikidata**: [Q12907632](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907632)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2311

## Summary
Cosmos 2311 is a Soviet reconnaissance satellite, part of the Yantar-4K2 class, launched on March 22, 1995. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket for military intelligence-gathering purposes.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 2311
- Alternate name: Kosmos 2311
- Launch date: March 22, 1995
- Launch time: 16:44:59 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-U rocket
- Satellite class: Yantar-4K2 (reconnaissance satellite)
- COSPAR ID: 1995-014A
- SCN (Spacecraft Number): 23530

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 2311?
A: Cosmos 2311 is a Yantar-4K2 reconnaissance satellite developed by the Soviet Union for optical intelligence gathering. It belongs to a series designed for military surveillance missions.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2311 launched?
A: Cosmos 2311 was launched on March 22, 1995, at 16:44:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 in Russia. The launch used a Soyuz-U carrier rocket.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2311?
A: Cosmos 2311 was built for military reconnaissance, specifically to capture high-resolution optical imagery for intelligence purposes. It continued the legacy of the Soviet Union's Yantar satellite program.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2311 represents a key component of the post-Cold War Russian space-based intelligence infrastructure. As part of the Yantar-4K2 program, it contributed to maintaining strategic reconnaissance capabilities during a period of geopolitical transition. Its successful deployment demonstrated ongoing advancements in Soviet-era satellite technology and operational continuity in military space programs. The mission reflects broader trends in dual-use space technologies and national security applications of orbital assets.

## Notable For
- Part of the advanced Yantar-4K2 reconnaissance satellite series
- Launched during the mid-1990s, marking continued use of proven Soyuz rockets for classified payloads
- Represents one of the final generations of film-return optical reconnaissance satellites before digital systems became standard
- Operated under the well-established Kosmos naming convention for Soviet and Russian satellites

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 2311 was a military reconnaissance satellite operated by the Russian Space Forces. It was part of the Yantar-4K2 program, which succeeded earlier Yantar models with improved imaging resolution and mission duration.

### Technical Specifications
- Spacecraft Number (SCN): 23530
- Designation: 1995-014A
- Satellite bus: Yantar-4K2
- Payload: Optical reconnaissance system with film return capsule
- Contractor: TsSKB Progress (now Progress Rocket Space Centre)

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched via a Soyuz-U rocket, a reliable medium-lift launcher derived from the original Soyuz design. Liftoff occurred on March 22, 1995, at precisely 16:44:59 UTC from Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia’s primary military spaceport.

### Operational Context
As with other Kosmos-designated missions, Cosmos 2311 was publicly acknowledged only through its orbital parameters and catalog number. Specific mission objectives, orbital behavior, and deactivation details remain classified or unverified in open sources.

### Legacy
Cosmos 2311 exemplifies the evolution of Soviet and later Russian Earth observation capabilities. It bridges the gap between early Cold War-era spy satellites and more modern electro-optical reconnaissance platforms, representing both technological persistence and adaptation in military space operations.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report