# Cosmos 809
**Wikidata**: [Q12907810](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907810)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-809

## Summary
Cosmos 809 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on March 18, 1976, under the Kosmos program. Designated as a Zenit-2M spacecraft, it was deployed via a Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to perform reconnaissance missions.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 809 is an instance of the **Zenit-2M** class of Soviet spy satellites.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on **March 18, 1976**.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a **Soyuz-U** rocket (a Universal variant of the Soyuz design).
- **Launch Site:** The launch took place at **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31**.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international satellite identifier is **1976-025A**.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** The US Space Command (SCN) tracks this object under number **08758**.
- **Launch Event Time:** The specific launch event occurred at **09:15:00** UTC.
- **Aliases:** It is also known as **Kosmos 809**.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 809?
A: Cosmos 809 was a Zenit-2M satellite, a class of spacecraft utilized by the Soviet Union for spy and reconnaissance operations.

### Q: When was Cosmos 809 launched?
A: The satellite was successfully launched on March 18, 1976, at 09:15:00 UTC.

### Q: What rocket was used to deliver Cosmos 809?
A: A Soyuz-U rocket, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, was used to deliver Cosmos 809 into orbit.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 809 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's extensive space-based reconnaissance program during the Cold War. As a Zenit-2M satellite, it highlights the technological progression of the Zenit series, which formed the backbone of Soviet optical intelligence gathering. The mission demonstrates the operational reliance on the Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically Site 31, and the workhorse nature of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle. By categorizing this mission under the ubiquitous "Cosmos" designation, the Soviet Union effectively shielded the specific military nature of the flight from public scrutiny while maintaining a robust surveillance capability. The detailed tracking of this object (via COSPAR ID 1976-025A and SCN 08758) continues to provide historical data for analyzing space situational awareness and the history of orbital mechanics.

## Notable For
- Being a specific instance of the **Zenit-2M** surveillance platform.
- Launching from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31**, a key pad for Soyuz missions.
- Utilizing the **Soyuz-U** rocket, one of the most frequently used launchers in space history.
- Inclusion in the **Kosmos program**, which obscured the true nature of Soviet military satellites.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Classification
Cosmos 809 was identified as a distinct space mission falling under the broader "Cosmos" umbrella, a standard Soviet practice for naming military and scientific satellites to obscure their specific functions. The spacecraft was an **instance of the Zenit-2M** class, explicitly categorized in records as a **Soviet spy satellite**.

### Launch Details
The satellite successfully departed Earth on **March 18, 1976**. The launch window was executed precisely at **09:15:00** UTC.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The mission employed a **Soyuz-U** rocket. This vehicle is noted as a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design, developed and launched by the **Soviet Union**.
*   **Location:** The launch originated from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31**, a major launch complex used for crewed and uncrewed missions.

### Technical Identifiers
To facilitate tracking and international recognition, Cosmos 809 was assigned specific identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1976-025A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 08758
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "08758"]`

The satellite is referenced across multiple language editions of Wikipedia, including Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr), indicating its documentation in regional space history records.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report