# Cosmos 776
**Wikidata**: [Q13566912](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566912)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-776

## Summary
Cosmos 776 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on October 17, 1975. It belonged to the Zenit 2M class of reconnaissance satellites and was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Voskhod rocket.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 776
- Alternate name: Kosmos 776
- COSPAR ID: 1975-101A
- Launch date: October 17, 1975
- Launch time: 14:29:59 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41
- Launch vehicle: Voskhod
- Satellite class: Zenit 2M
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- SCN (Spacecraft Number): 08369

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 776?
A: Cosmos 776 was a Zenit 2M-class reconnaissance satellite used for intelligence-gathering purposes by the Soviet Union. These satellites were typically employed for photographic surveillance missions.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 776 launched?
A: Cosmos 776 was launched on October 17, 1975, at 14:29:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What kind of rocket was used to launch Cosmos 776?
A: The satellite was launched using a Voskhod launch vehicle, which was developed by the Soviet Union for orbital missions.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 776 represents part of the Soviet Union's extensive space-based reconnaissance program during the Cold War era. As a Zenit 2M satellite, it contributed to the USSR’s strategic intelligence capabilities through high-resolution imagery collection. Its successful deployment reflects advancements in Soviet space technology and operational capacity in military applications. Understanding missions like Cosmos 776 provides insight into historical espionage methods and geopolitical dynamics of the mid-20th century.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Zenit 2M series, known for their role in Soviet reconnaissance efforts
- Launched via the historically significant Voskhod rocket family
- One of multiple Cosmos-designated satellites that formed the backbone of Soviet orbital surveillance
- Assigned SCN 08369, linking it to international tracking databases
- Represents continued use of Plesetsk Cosmodrome for classified launches

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 776 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite operated under the standardized "Cosmos" naming convention applied to many payloads launched by the USSR. It functioned within the framework of the nation's broader intelligence-gathering infrastructure.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft was categorized under the Zenit 2M class, indicating its specialized function as an optical reconnaissance platform designed for returning film canisters containing Earth observation data.

### Launch Details
- **Date**: October 17, 1975  
- **Time**: 14:29:59 UTC  
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 41  
- **Vehicle**: Voskhod  

This marked another routine but strategically critical mission from one of the Soviet Union’s primary spaceports dedicated to military and classified operations.

### Spacecraft Identification
- **COSPAR ID**: 1975-101A  
- **SCN (Spacecraft Number)**: 08369  
- **Aliases**: Kosmos 776  

These identifiers have been recorded in global aerospace tracking systems such as those maintained by Wolfram Alpha and other reference databases.

### Historical Context
As with other Zenit-class satellites, Cosmos 776 played a key role in supporting Soviet national security objectives throughout the Cold War period. Its deployment followed years of development in recoverable spy satellite technologies pioneered by the Soviet space program.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report