# Cosmos 2495
**Wikidata**: [Q18327731](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18327731)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2495

## Summary
Cosmos 2495 is a Russian spy satellite launched on May 6, 2014, as part of the Yantar-4K2M class, designed for reconnaissance missions. It was deployed using a Soyuz-2.1a rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 2014-025A and satellite catalog number 39732.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: May 6, 2014, at 13:49:35 UTC.
- **Satellite Class**: Yantar-4K2M, a Russian military reconnaissance satellite.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-2.1a rocket.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2014-025A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 39732.
- **Mission Type**: Optical imaging for military intelligence.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2495?
A: Cosmos 2495 was a Russian spy satellite designed to collect high-resolution optical imagery for military reconnaissance as part of the Yantar-4K2M series.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2495 launched?
A: It launched on May 6, 2014, at 13:49:35 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in Russia.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 2495?
A: The satellite was deployed using a Soyuz-2.1a rocket, a modernized version of the Soyuz-2 launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2495 represents a key component of Russia’s military space infrastructure, contributing to its strategic reconnaissance capabilities. As part of the Yantar-4K2M class, it underscores the continued reliance on optical imaging satellites for national security. The use of the Soyuz-2.1a rocket highlights advancements in Russia’s launch vehicle technology, emphasizing reliability and efficiency in deploying critical payloads. This mission aligns with broader efforts to maintain orbital surveillance, a vital tool for modern military operations and geopolitical strategy.

## Notable For
- **Yantar-4K2M Class Membership**: Part of a series of film-based reconnaissance satellites known for high-resolution imaging.
- **Soyuz-2.1a Launch**: Utilized a modernized rocket variant, demonstrating Russia’s evolving launch capabilities.
- **Precise Launch Timing**: Launched at 13:49:35 UTC, reflecting coordinated military-space operations.
- **COSPAR Designation**: Assigned 2014-025A, indicating its status as an Earth-orbiting satellite.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: May 6, 2014, at 13:49:35 UTC.
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4, a Russian military spaceport.
- **Rocket**: Soyuz-2.1a (a upgraded variant of the Soyuz-2 family).

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: Yantar-4K2M, a reconnaissance satellite using film for optical imaging.
- **Identifiers**:
  - **COSPAR ID**: 2014-025A.
  - **SCN**: 39732.

### Mission Context
- **Purpose**: To conduct optical reconnaissance for Russian military intelligence.
- **Significance**: Part of a long-standing series of satellites (Yantar) tasked with providing critical imagery for defense and strategic planning.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report