# Cosmos 844
**Wikidata**: [Q13566925](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566925)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-844

## Summary
Cosmos 844 was a Soviet artificial satellite launched on July 22, 1976. It was a Yantar-2K class spacecraft, a type of Soviet spy satellite used for reconnaissance. The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 844 was an instance of the Yantar-2K class, a type of Soviet spy satellite, and functioned as an artificial satellite of the Earth.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on July 22, 1976.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international satellite designator is 1976-072A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is identified by the SatCat number 09046.
- **Launch Event:** The specific rocket launch occurred at 15:40:01 on July 22, 1976.
- **Aliases:** It is also known by the alias "Kosmos 844."

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 844?
A: Cosmos 844 was a Yantar-2K satellite, which falls under the classification of a Soviet spy satellite. It operated as an artificial satellite orbiting the Earth.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 844 launched?
A: Cosmos 844 was launched on July 22, 1976, at 15:40:01. The launch took place at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 844?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, which is a universal variant of the Soyuz launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 844 represents a specific mission within the broader Soviet "Cosmos" program, which served as a generic designation for a wide array of Soviet satellites, particularly those used for military and scientific purposes. As a Yantar-2K spacecraft, Cosmos 844 was part of a critical lineage of photoreconnaissance satellites utilized by the Soviet Union to gather intelligence from orbit. These satellites were essential to national security efforts during the Cold War, providing capabilities for Earth observation and surveillance.

The launch of Cosmos 844 also exemplifies the operational reliance on the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, a workhorse rocket of the Soviet space program known for its reliability and versatility in deploying payloads such as the Yantar series. By recording the specific launch data—such as the precise time of 15:40:01 and the location at Plesetsk Site 43—this entry contributes to the historical record of spaceflight activities and the tracking of artificial objects in Earth's orbit.

## Notable For
- **Reconnaissance Platform:** Being a member of the Yantar-2K class, a distinct series of Soviet spy satellites designed for intelligence gathering.
- **Specific Designators:** Possessing a unique COSPAR ID (1976-072A) and Satellite Catalog Number (09046) used for international tracking.
- **Launch Precision:** Having a recorded launch time precise to the second (15:40:01).
- **Launch Infrastructure:** Utilizing the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, a key Soviet spaceport for military launches.

## Body

### Classification and Identity
Cosmos 844 is formally classified as an artificial satellite of the Earth and is an instance of the Yantar-2K class. The Yantar-2K is identified as a Soviet spy satellite. The entity is referenced in multiple languages across Wikipedia, including Russian (ru), Macedonian (mk), Serbian (sr), and Serbo-Croatian (sh).

### Technical Identifiers
The satellite is tracked under several international and academic identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1976-072A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 09046
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "09046"]

### Mission Launch Details
The deployment of Cosmos 844 was executed with the following specific parameters:
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal variant)
- **Launch Date:** July 22, 1976
- **Launch Time:** 15:40:01
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report