# Cosmos 2346
**Wikidata**: [Q12753730](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753730)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2346

## Summary
Cosmos 2346 is a Parus-class satellite launched by the Soviet Union on September 23, 1997, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 using a Kosmos-3M rocket with the COSPAR ID 1997-052A. It is part of the Russian military satellite program designed for naval communications and missile detection.

## Key Facts
- Cosmos 2346 is a Parus-class satellite with the internal identifier SCN 24953
- It was launched on September 23, 1997, at 16:44:51 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- The launch vehicle was a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Soviet Union
- Its COSPAR identifier is 1997-052A
- It has 4 Wikipedia sitelinks available in languages: hr, mk, sh, sr
- It has a Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "24953"]
- The launch is classified as a significant event with specific time and location data

## FAQs
### Q: What is Cosmos 2346?
A: Cosmos 2346 is a Parus-class military satellite launched by the Soviet Union on September 23, 1997. It was deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 as part of the Russian satellite program.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2346 launched?
A: Cosmos 2346 was launched on September 23, 1997, at 16:44:51 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132. This cosmodrome is located in Russia and was a primary launch site for Soviet and Russian space missions.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 2346?
A: Cosmos 2346 was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Russian space launch vehicle that was part of the Soviet space program. This two-stage rocket was commonly used for launching satellites into orbit.

### Q: What is the purpose of Cosmos 2346?
A: As a Parus-class satellite, Cosmos 2346 likely served military purposes, possibly for naval communications and missile detection. These satellites typically provide data on ship positions and missile launches, forming part of Russia's early warning systems.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2346 represents an important component of Russia's military satellite infrastructure during the post-Soviet era. As a Parus-class satellite, it likely contributed to naval reconnaissance and missile detection capabilities, providing critical data for national security. These satellites form part of a network that monitors maritime traffic and potential missile threats, playing a vital role in early warning systems. The Parus series, which Cosmos 2346 is a part of, has been operational since the 1970s, demonstrating the longevity and reliability of this technology. Its launch on September 23, 1997, occurred during a period when Russia was maintaining its space capabilities despite economic challenges following the Soviet Union's dissolution.

## Notable For
- Part of the long-running Parus satellite series with proven operational longevity
- Launched during a critical period in Russian space history after the Soviet dissolution
- One of the few satellites with documentation available in South Slavic languages (hr, mk, sh, sr)
- Has a well-documented launch time (16:44:51) which may be significant for orbital calculations
- Identified with both a COSPAR ID (1997-052A) and an internal SCN number (24953) for tracking purposes

## Body
### Basic Information
Cosmos 2346 is a Parus-class satellite that was launched by the Soviet Union on September 23, 1997. It carries the internal identifier SCN 24953 and has the COSPAR ID 1997-052A. The satellite is part of the Russian military satellite program and has 4 Wikipedia sitelinks available in Croatian (hr), Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr) languages.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched at 16:44:51 on September 23, 1997, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132. The launch vehicle was a Kosmos-3M rocket, a two-stage liquid-propellant orbital launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union. The Plesetsk Cosmodrome, located in northern Russia, has been a major spaceport for Soviet and Russian space missions since the 1960s.

### Technical Specifications
- Satellite class: Parus
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- COSPAR ID: 1997-052A
- Internal SCN: 24953
- Wolfram Language entity: Entity["Satellite", "24953"]
- Wikipedia languages available: hr, mk, sh, sr
- Sitelink count: 4

### Program Context
Cosmos 2346 belongs to the Parus series of satellites, which are military spacecraft used for naval communications and missile detection. These satellites typically operate in low Earth orbit and are designed to detect missile launches and monitor maritime traffic. The Parus program has been operational since the 1970s, with numerous satellites launched over decades to maintain Russia's early warning capabilities. The series represents one of the most enduring components of Russia's space-based defense infrastructure.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report