# Cosmos 2399
**Wikidata**: [Q12753753](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753753)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2399

## Summary
Cosmos 2399 is a Russian reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Orlets-1 class. Launched on August 12, 2003, it was deployed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to perform intelligence-gathering operations.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Orlets-1 reconnaissance satellite
- **Launch Date:** August 12, 2003
- **Launch Time:** 14:20:00 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal variant)
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 27856
- **COSPAR ID:** 2003-035A
- **Alternative Name:** Kosmos 2399
- **Origin of Launch Vehicle:** Soviet Union

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of Cosmos 2399?
A: Cosmos 2399 is an Orlets-1 class satellite designed for reconnaissance. Its primary function is to serve as an orbital intelligence-gathering platform.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 2399?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket. This specific vehicle is a "Universal" design variant of the Soyuz rocket family with origins in the Soviet Union.

### Q: Where and when did the launch of Cosmos 2399 take place?
A: Cosmos 2399 was launched on August 12, 2003, at 14:20:00 UTC. The launch was conducted from Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

### Q: How is Cosmos 2399 identified in satellite catalogs?
A: It is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 27856 and the COSPAR ID 2003-035A. In the Wolfram Language, it is referenced by the entity code Entity["Satellite", "27856"].

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2399 is a significant entry in the history of specialized reconnaissance missions. As an instance of the Orlets-1 class, it represents a specific era of intelligence-gathering technology deployed by the Russian Federation. Its launch highlights the continued operational utility of the Soyuz-U "Universal" rocket variant, a design that originated in the Soviet Union and became one of the most frequently used launch vehicles in spaceflight history.

The satellite's deployment from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 underscores the strategic importance of this specific launch facility for high-priority missions. By maintaining a presence in international tracking databases under SCN 27856 and COSPAR ID 2003-035A, Cosmos 2399 provides a verifiable data point for researchers studying orbital logistics and the evolution of reconnaissance platforms. Its documentation across multiple languages, including Serbian, Croatian, and Macedonian, reflects its inclusion in the broader international record of 21st-century space activity. Understanding Cosmos 2399 is essential for those analyzing the technical lineage of the Orlets-1 program and the transition of Soviet-era aerospace engineering into modern satellite operations.

## Notable For
- **Class Membership:** It is a documented instance of the Orlets-1 reconnaissance satellite series.
- **Launch Vehicle Lineage:** Utilized the Soyuz-U, a "Universal" rocket variant with historical roots in the Soviet Union.
- **Precise Tracking:** Identified globally by SCN 27856 and COSPAR ID 2003-035A.
- **Specific Launch Origin:** Deployed from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 at a recorded time of 14:20:00.

## Body

### Classification and Mission
Cosmos 2399, also referred to as Kosmos 2399, is classified as a reconnaissance satellite. It is an instance of the Orlets-1 class, which is a specific category of intelligence-gathering spacecraft. The satellite is tracked in various academic and technical databases, including the Wolfram Language under the code Entity["Satellite", "27856"].

### Launch and Deployment
The launch of Cosmos 2399 was a significant event that occurred on August 12, 2003. 
- **Time:** The rocket departed at exactly 14:20:00 UTC.
- **Location:** The mission originated from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **Vehicle:** The launch vehicle used was the Soyuz-U, a variant of the Soyuz rocket family designated as "Universal."

### Technical Identifiers
The satellite is recognized by several international identification standards:
- **SCN:** 27856
- **COSPAR ID:** 2003-035A
- **Sitelink Count:** The entity is referenced across 4 different Wikipedia language editions, including hr (Croatian), mk (Macedonian), sh (Serbo-Croatian), and sr (Serbian).

### Related Entities
The Soyuz-U rocket used for the mission is a design variant associated with the Soviet Union. The Orlets-1 class, to which Cosmos 2399 belongs, is specifically defined as a reconnaissance satellite class.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report