# Cosmos 785
**Wikidata**: [Q12907804](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907804)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-785

## Summary
Cosmos 785 was a Soviet artificial satellite launched on December 12, 1975. It belonged to the US-A class, a series of nuclear-powered surveillance satellites designed to orbit the Earth. The satellite was deployed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Tsyklon-2 launch vehicle.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Cosmos 785 was an instance of the US-A (Upravlyaemy Sputnik Aktivny) class, a series of Soviet nuclear-powered surveillance satellites.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on December 12, 1975.
*   **Launch Time:** The specific launch event occurred at 12:45:00.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a Tsyklon-2 expendable launch vehicle.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90.
*   **COSPAR ID:** Its international designation is 1975-116A.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under Satcat No. 08473.
*   **Also Known As:** The satellite is aliased as "Kosmos 785".

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 785?
A: Cosmos 785 was a US-A class satellite, which denotes a Soviet series of nuclear-powered surveillance satellites designed for monitoring Earth.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 785 launched?
A: It was launched on December 12, 1975, at 12:45:00 using a Tsyklon-2 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90.

### Q: What are the identifying codes for Cosmos 785?
A: The satellite holds the COSPAR ID 1975-116A and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 08473.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 785 represents a specific entry within the broader context of the Cold War-era space race and Soviet military capabilities. As a component of the US-A (Upravlyaemy Sputnik Aktivny) program, it illustrates the engineering challenges and strategic priorities of the 1970s, specifically the utilization of nuclear power to support long-term, real-time surveillance capabilities.

The US-A series is historically significant for employing nuclear reactors (specifically BES-5) to power radar systems, allowing these satellites to track maritime targets regardless of lighting conditions or cloud cover. While specific mission outcomes for Cosmos 785 are not detailed in the provided source, its existence as a US-A satellite places it among a class of spacecraft that sparked major international discussions regarding the safety of nuclear power sources in outer space. The launch vehicle used, the Tsyklon-2, further highlights the technological infrastructure of the Soviet space program, serving as a reliable method for placing heavy, military-grade payloads into low Earth orbit.

## Notable For
*   **Nuclear Power Source:** Being part of the US-A series, distinguished by the use of nuclear reactors for power rather than solar panels.
*   **Surveillance Capabilities:** Functioning as a radar reconnaissance satellite for Earth observation.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Utilizing the Tsyklon-2, a prominent Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch system.
*   **Specific Launch Infrastructure:** Being launched from Site 90 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 785 (designated 1975-116A) operated as an artificial satellite of the Earth. It functioned within the Soviet space program under the standardized "Cosmos" designation, which was used to obscure the military nature of various domestic satellite launches.

### Technical Specifications and Classification
The satellite is formally classified as an instance of **US-A**, a series defined by its nuclear-powered radar ocean reconnaissance capabilities. Unlike civilian satellites that often rely on solar energy, the US-A class utilized nuclear reactors to generate the high power required for active radar scanning.

### Launch Details
*   **Date:** December 12, 1975
*   **Time:** 12:45:00
*   **Location:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90
*   **Rocket:** Tsyklon-2 (an expendable launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union/Ukraine).

### Identifiers and Aliases
The entity is recorded in various databases with the following identifiers:
*   **Satcat No:** 08473
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/121_txxx
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "08473"]
*   **Alias:** Kosmos 785

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report