# Cosmos 769
**Wikidata**: [Q12753991](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753991)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-769

## Summary
Cosmos 769 was a Soviet space mission launched on September 23, 1975. Classified as a Zenit 2M satellite, it served as a military optical reconnaissance vehicle, commonly referred to as a spy satellite. The mission was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Voskhod rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 769 is an instance of the **Zenit 2M** class of satellites, which are Soviet spy satellites designed for reconnaissance.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on **September 23, 1975**.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was deployed using a **Voskhod** launch vehicle (a Russian/Soviet rocket).
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41**.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international designation is **1975-088A**.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** The US Space Command number (SCN) is **08322**.
- **Launch Time:** The significant event (rocket launch) occurred at **09:59:59** UTC.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as **Kosmos 769**.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 769?
A: Cosmos 769 was a Zenit 2M satellite, which functions as a Soviet military spy satellite used for optical reconnaissance.

### Q: When was Cosmos 769 launched?
A: Cosmos 769 was launched on September 23, 1975, at 09:59:59 UTC.

### Q: Where did Cosmos 769 launch from?
A: The satellite launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 in the Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 769 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's extensive military space program during the Cold War, specifically within the domain of orbital reconnaissance. As a Zenit 2M satellite, it highlights the operational capabilities and technological progression of Soviet spy satellites during the mid-1970s.

The mission underscores the heavy reliance of the Soviet military on space-based assets for intelligence gathering. Launching from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome—the primary launch site for military satellites—Cosmos 769 illustrates the strategic infrastructure dedicated to orbital surveillance. Furthermore, the use of the Voskhod launch vehicle for this mission reflects the specific rocket configurations employed during this era to place heavy reconnaissance payloads into orbit. By cataloging this mission under the standardized "Cosmos" designation, the Soviet Union maintained a policy of operational secrecy, obscuring the specific military nature of such flights from public scrutiny while tracking them via identifiers like the COSPAR ID (1975-088A).

## Notable For
- **Military Reconnaissance:** It is a confirmed member of the Zenit 2M class, explicitly identified as a Soviet spy satellite.
- **Specific Launch Infrastructure:** The mission utilized Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a specific pad within the primary military spaceport.
- **Temporal Precision:** The launch time is recorded to the second (09:59:59), indicating precise tracking and historical logging.
- **Dual-Use Heritage:** While the payload was military, the launch vehicle (Voskhod) shares its name with a class of crewed Soviet spacecraft, reflecting the adaptability of Soviet rocket technology.

## Body

### Mission Classification and Purpose
Cosmos 769 was officially designated as a **Zenit 2M** satellite. In the context of space history and the provided source material, this class is defined as a "Soviet spy satellite." As was standard practice for the Soviet Union, military reconnaissance satellites were given the generic cover name "Cosmos" (or "Kosmos") to mask their specific military objectives. Consequently, Cosmos 769 (also aliased as Kosmos 769) operated as part of this broader program of orbital surveillance.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **September 23, 1975**. The launch event is recorded with high temporal specificity, occurring at **09:59:59**.

*   **Launch Vehicle:** The mission was propelled by a **Voskhod** rocket. The Voskhod is described in related records as a Russian launch vehicle and a series of Soviet crewed spacecraft, adapted in this context for placing unmanned military payloads into orbit.
*   **Location:** The launch took place at **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41**. Plesetsk was the primary launch complex for military satellites in the Soviet Union.

### Technical Identifiers
To facilitate international tracking and cataloging, Cosmos 769 is associated with the following specific identifiers:

*   **COSPAR ID:** 1975-088A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 08322
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "08322"]

These identifiers allow the object to be distinguished from the thousands of other objects in the Cosmos series and the broader catalog of space debris and active satellites.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report