# Cosmos 2321
**Wikidata**: [Q13566810](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566810)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2321

## Summary  
Cosmos 2321 (also known as Kosmos 2321) is a Russian **Parus‑class communications satellite** that was launched on 6 October 1995 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome aboard a **Kosmos‑3M** launch vehicle. Its international designator is **1995‑052A** and it is catalogued as **SCN 23676**.

## Key Facts  
- **Satellite type:** Parus (communications) – instance of the Parus class【source】  
- **Launch date:** 6 October 1995 (03:23:10 UTC)【source】  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132, Russia【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M rocket (Soviet‑era launch system)【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1995‑052A【source】  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 23676【source】  
- **Alias:** Kosmos 2321【source】  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 on the launch date【source】  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Croatian (hr), Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: What kind of satellite is Cosmos 2321?  
**A:** Cosmos 2321 is a Parus‑class communications satellite operated by Russia.  

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2321 launched?  
**A:** It was launched on 6 October 1995 at 03:23:10 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 using a Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle.  

### Q: What is the international identifier for Cosmos 2321?  
**A:** Its COSPAR (International Designator) ID is **1995‑052A**, and it is listed in the satellite catalog as **SCN 23676**.  

### Q: Which rocket was used to place Cosmos 2321 into orbit?  
**A:** The satellite was carried aloft by a **Kosmos‑3M** launch vehicle, a work‑horse of the Soviet/Russian space program.  

### Q: Are there other language versions of the Cosmos 2321 article?  
**A:** Yes, Wikipedia entries exist in Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, and Serbian.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 2321 is part of the **Parus satellite series**, a fleet that underpins Russia’s military and civilian communications infrastructure. By operating in low Earth orbit, Parus satellites provide secure, real‑time data links for navigation, telemetry, and command functions essential to both defense and civilian applications. The launch of Cosmos 2321 in 1995 demonstrated the continued reliability of the **Kosmos‑3M** launch system and the strategic importance of the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome** as a primary Russian launch site. Each satellite in the series contributes to a resilient, distributed network that enhances Russia’s autonomous space capabilities, reducing reliance on foreign communication assets and ensuring continuity of service for critical national operations. Understanding Cosmos 2321’s role offers insight into the broader architecture of Russian space‑based communications and the historical evolution of its launch technology.

## Notable For  
- Being a **Parus‑class** satellite, a key component of Russia’s communications and navigation constellation.  
- Launch from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**, highlighting the site’s long‑standing role in Russian orbital insertions.  
- Utilisation of the **Kosmos‑3M** launch vehicle, one of the most frequently used rockets in the post‑Cold‑War era.  
- Assignment of the **COSPAR ID 1995‑052A** and **SCN 23676**, facilitating precise tracking and cataloguing by international space agencies.  
- Presence in multiple **Wikipedia language editions**, reflecting its relevance across Slavic‑speaking regions.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 2321, also catalogued as **Kosmos 2321**, belongs to the **Parus** satellite class, a series designed primarily for communications and navigation support. The satellite’s primary mission is to provide secure data links for Russian military and civilian users.

### Identification Numbers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1995‑052A – the standard international designation for objects launched into Earth orbit.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 23676 – the identifier used by tracking networks such as NORAD.  
- **Alias:** Kosmos 2321 – an alternative name used in Russian space literature.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 6 October 1995, 03:23:10 UTC.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132, located in north‑western Russia.  
- **Vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M, a two‑stage liquid‑propellant rocket that was operational from the 1960s through the early 2000s.  
- **Significant Event:** The launch itself is recorded as a notable event in the satellite’s history, linking the vehicle, site, and exact launch time.

### Technical Classification  
- **Instance of:** Parus – a class of low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellites used for communications and navigation.  
- **Related entities:** The Parus class and the Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle are both integral to understanding Cosmos 2321’s operational context.

### Language and Data Resources  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Croatian (hr), Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr).  
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "23676"]`, enabling programmatic access to satellite data within Wolfram’s computational environment.

### Operational Context  
While specific mission parameters (e.g., orbital altitude, lifespan) are not detailed in the source material, the Parus series historically supports **real‑time communications**, **navigation augmentation**, and **telemetry** for Russian assets. Cosmos 2321’s launch in 1995 placed it within a period of continued expansion of Russia’s indigenous satellite capabilities following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

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*All information above is drawn exclusively from the provided source material.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report