# Cosmos 2362
**Wikidata**: [Q12753736](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753736)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2362

## Summary  
Cosmos 2362 (also written Kosmos 2362) is a Russian GLONASS navigation satellite that was launched on 30 December 1998 from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 200 aboard a Proton‑K carrier rocket. It forms part of the original GLONASS constellation that provides global positioning services for Russia and its users.

## Key Facts  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1998‑077A【source】  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 25593【source】  
- **Launch date and time:** 30 December 1998 at 18:35:46 UTC【source】  
- **Launch site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 200, Kazakhstan【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Proton‑K rocket, a Russian (formerly Soviet) heavy‑lift carrier【source】  
- **Space tug:** Blok DM‑2 upper stage used to place the satellite into its operational orbit【source】  
- **Instance of:** GLONASS navigation satellite, the original family of Russian GNSS satellites【source】  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 2362【source】  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Cosmos 2362 launched?  
**A:** Cosmos 2362 was launched on 30 December 1998 at 18:35:46 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.  

### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 2362?  
**A:** It is a GLONASS navigation satellite, part of Russia’s global navigation satellite system (GNSS).  

### Q: Which rocket carried Cosmos 2362 into space?  
**A:** The satellite was launched aboard a Proton‑K carrier rocket, using a Blok DM‑2 upper stage as its space tug.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 2362 is a component of the original GLONASS constellation, Russia’s counterpart to the United States’ GPS system. By contributing to a network of satellites that broadcast precise timing and positioning data, Cosmos 2362 helps enable navigation, timing, and location‑based services for civilian, commercial, and military users worldwide. Its launch in 1998 marked a continued expansion of Russia’s autonomous GNSS capability, reducing reliance on foreign systems and enhancing strategic independence. The satellite’s operation supports a range of applications—from maritime and aviation navigation to telecommunications synchronization—underscoring the broader importance of satellite‑based positioning infrastructure in modern societies.

## Notable For  
- **First‑generation GLONASS satellite:** Part of the original series that established Russia’s GNSS.  
- **Proton‑K launch:** Utilized one of the most powerful Russian launch vehicles, highlighting the nation’s heavy‑lift capability.  
- **Blok DM‑2 space tug:** Demonstrates the use of an upper stage to precisely insert navigation satellites into medium Earth orbit.  
- **Launch from Baikonur Site 200:** One of the primary launch pads for Russian strategic payloads.  
- **International recognition:** Listed in multiple Wikipedia language editions, reflecting its global relevance.

## Body  

### Mission Overview  
- Cosmos 2362 is classified as a GLONASS navigation satellite, designed to transmit positioning signals to users on Earth.  
- It operates in a medium‑Earth orbit (MEO) typical for GNSS constellations, providing global coverage.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 30 December 1998, 18:35:46 UTC.  
- **Location:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Site 200.  
- **Vehicle:** Proton‑K rocket, a three‑stage launch system historically used for heavy payloads.  
- **Upper Stage:** Blok DM‑2 acted as the space tug, delivering Cosmos 2362 to its designated orbit after the primary stages completed their burn.  

### Technical Specifications  
| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| COSPAR ID | 1998‑077A |
| Satellite Catalog Number | 25593 |
| Instance of | GLONASS navigation satellite |
| Launch Vehicle | Proton‑K |
| Space Tug | Blok DM‑2 |
| Launch Site | Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 |

### Orbit and Role  
- After separation, Cosmos 2362 entered a circular MEO at approximately 19,100 km altitude, the standard orbit for GLONASS satellites.  
- The satellite continuously broadcasts L‑band navigation signals, enabling users to compute precise three‑dimensional positions.  

### Related Systems  
- **GLONASS Family:** Cosmos 2362 belongs to the original GLONASS satellite series, which together form a constellation of 24–24 + spare satellites.  
- **Proton‑K Rocket:** A workhorse of the Russian space program, the Proton‑K has launched numerous scientific, commercial, and military payloads since the 1960s.  

### Legacy and Current Status  
- While newer GLONASS‑M and GLONASS‑K satellites have since replaced many first‑generation units, Cosmos 2362 contributed to the early operational capability of the system.  
- Its launch demonstrated the reliability of the Proton‑K/Blok DM‑2 combination for delivering critical navigation assets.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report