# Cosmos 800
**Wikidata**: [Q12754005](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754005)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-800

## Summary
Cosmos 800 is a Soviet satellite launched on February 3, 1976, aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It belongs to the Zaliv satellite bus class and was part of the Tsyklon expendable launch vehicle program. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 1976-011A and SCN 08645.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: February 3, 1976, at 08:16:00 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet/Russian launch system.
- **Satellite Bus**: Zaliv-class spacecraft.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1976-011A.
- **SCN Number**: 08645.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **Program Affiliation**: Part of the Tsyklon (Cyclone) launch vehicle family.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Cosmos 800 launched?
A: Cosmos 800 was launched on February 3, 1976, at 08:16:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 800?
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet-designed expendable launch vehicle.

### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 800?
A: It is a Zaliv-class satellite, part of the broader Tsyklon (Cyclone) launch vehicle program.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 800 represents a component of the Soviet Union’s Tsyklon launch vehicle program, which played a critical role in deploying satellites for military, scientific, and communications purposes. As a Zaliv-class satellite launched via the reliable Kosmos-3M rocket, it exemplifies the standardized spacecraft and launch systems developed during the Cold War era. While specific mission details are not provided, its launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome—a key Soviet space facility—underscores its integration into broader strategic or operational frameworks. The Kosmos-3M rocket’s track record, with over 400 launches, highlights the technological consistency and reliability of Soviet space infrastructure during this period.

## Notable For
- **Zaliv-Class Satellite**: Utilized a standardized satellite bus design common in Soviet space programs.
- **Kosmos-3M Launch Vehicle**: Demonstrated the rocket’s reliability, which was used in numerous Soviet and later Russian missions.
- **Tsyklon Program Affiliation**: Contributed to the Tsyklon family of launch vehicles, which supported a wide range of satellite deployments.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Launch**: Launched from a primary Soviet military spaceport, reflecting its potential strategic or operational role.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: February 3, 1976, at 08:16:00 UTC.
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, a facility primarily used for military and government satellite launches.
- **Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M (11K65M), a lightweight launch system derived from the R-14 Chusovaya intermediate-range ballistic missile.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Bus Class**: Zaliv, a Soviet satellite platform designed for various missions, including navigation, communications, and Earth observation.
- **Identifiers**:
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1976-011A (international designation).
  - **SCN**: 08645 (Satellite Catalog Number).

### Mission Context
- **Program**: Part of the Tsyklon (Cyclone) family of expendable launch vehicles, which included the Tsyklon-2 and Tsyklon-3 rockets.
- **Historical Significance**: The Kosmos-3M rocket, which launched Cosmos 800, was notable for its long operational lifespan (1967–2010) and high success rate, launching over 400 satellites.

### Legacy
- **Technical Heritage**: The Zaliv satellite bus and Kosmos-3M rocket reflect Soviet emphasis on modular, cost-effective space systems.
- **Operational Secrecy**: Like many Soviet-era satellites, specific mission objectives for Cosmos 800 remain undisclosed, typical of the era’s classified space activities.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report