# Cosmos 821
**Wikidata**: [Q12754017](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754017)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-821

## Summary
Cosmos 821 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1976 as part of the Zenit-4MK class, designed for photo surveillance. It was deployed using a Voskhod rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, contributing to the Soviet Union's Cold War-era intelligence-gathering efforts.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: May 26, 1976, at 09:00:00 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1976-048A.
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit-4MK, a Soviet photo reconnaissance satellite.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket, a Soviet launch vehicle.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43.
- **Mission Purpose**: Conduct photographic surveillance for military intelligence.
- **Identifier**: NORAD catalog number 08862.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Cosmos 821 launched?
A: Cosmos 821 was launched on May 26, 1976, at 09:00:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 821?
A: It was a Zenit-4MK reconnaissance satellite designed to gather photographic intelligence for the Soviet Union.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 821?
A: The satellite was launched using a Voskhod rocket, a Soviet-era launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 821 represents a component of the Soviet Union's extensive reconnaissance satellite program during the Cold War. As part of the Zenit-4MK series, it played a role in providing critical photographic intelligence, supporting military and strategic decision-making. Its launch on a Voskhod rocket highlights the integration of launch vehicle technology and satellite capabilities during this period. While individual Zenit missions were typically short-lived, the broader program underscored the importance of space-based surveillance in geopolitical tensions, contributing to the evolution of satellite technology and its military applications.

## Notable For
- **Reconnaissance Mission**: Part of the Zenit-4MK class, specialized for photo surveillance.
- **Voskhod Rocket Deployment**: Utilized a launch vehicle also associated with crewed spacecraft missions.
- **Plesetsk Launch Site**: Originated from a key Soviet cosmodrome, reflecting strategic launch infrastructure.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: May 26, 1976, at 09:00:00 UTC.
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, a facility in northwestern Russia critical for Soviet space operations.
- **Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket, a derivative of the R-7 family adapted for satellite launches.

### Satellite Class
- **Zenit-4MK**: A variant of the Zenit reconnaissance satellites, optimized for high-resolution photography. These satellites typically returned film capsules to Earth via re-entry vehicles.
- **Mission Duration**: Zenit missions usually lasted approximately 14 days, after which the satellite would deorbit.

### Launch Vehicle
- **Voskhod**: Named for the "Voskhod" (Sunrise) program, this rocket was used for both crewed and uncrewed missions. It was a modified version of the earlier Vostok launch vehicle.

### Technical Specifications
- **COSPAR ID**: 1976-048A (international designation for satellite tracking).
- **NORAD ID**: 08862 (North American Aerospace Defense Command catalog number).

### Context
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Documented in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian language entries.
- **Wolfram Entity**: Referenced as Entity["Satellite", "08862"] in Wolfram Language datasets.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report