# Cosmos 855
**Wikidata**: [Q13566928](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566928)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-855

## Summary
Cosmos 855 is a Soviet satellite launched on September 21, 1976, as part of the Zenit-4MT reconnaissance satellite program. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 1976-095A and NORAD catalog number 09433.

## Key Facts
- Launched on **September 21, 1976** at **11:40 UTC**
- Launch site: **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43**
- Launch vehicle: **Soyuz-U**
- Satellite class: **Zenit-4MT**, a military reconnaissance platform
- Alternate name: **Kosmos 855**
- COSPAR ID: **1976-095A**
- NORAD catalog number: **09433**
- Country of origin: **Soviet Union**

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 855?
A: Cosmos 855 was a Zenit-4MT military reconnaissance satellite designed for optical intelligence gathering. It was part of the Soviet Union's extensive Kosmos satellite program focused on surveillance during the Cold War.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 855 launched?
A: Cosmos 855 was launched on **September 21, 1976**, at **11:40 UTC** from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43** in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What kind of rocket was used to launch Cosmos 855?
A: The satellite was launched using a **Soyuz-U** rocket, a widely used Soviet launch vehicle known for deploying military and civilian payloads into orbit.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 855 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era space-based reconnaissance efforts. As part of the Zenit-4MT program, it contributed to the USSR's strategic intelligence capabilities through orbital photo surveillance. These missions were critical in monitoring Western military activities and geopolitical developments. Its launch reflects the scale and sophistication of Soviet space operations during the 1970s, highlighting both technological advancement and militarization of space during that era.

## Notable For
- Part of the **Zenit-4MT** series, a classified military reconnaissance satellite program
- One of many satellites in the broader **Kosmos program**, which included hundreds of launches for varied purposes
- Launched using the reliable **Soyuz-U** rocket, a workhorse of the Soviet space program
- Operated during a peak period of Cold War intelligence competition between the US and USSR
- Identified by multiple international tracking systems including **NORAD (09433)** and **COSPAR (1976-095A)**

## Body

### Mission Overview
Cosmos 855 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit-4MT class. It was launched to conduct Earth observation and gather intelligence imagery, primarily for defense-related purposes.

### Technical Classification
- **Instance Of**: Zenit-4MT satellite
- **Program Affiliation**: Kosmos program
- **Function**: Optical reconnaissance

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: 1976-09-21
- **Launch Time**: 11:40 UTC
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 43
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U

The launch occurred during a period of intensified Soviet space activity, with numerous reconnaissance satellites being placed into orbit to support national security objectives.

### Identifiers and Tracking
- **COSPAR ID**: 1976-095A
- **NORAD Catalog Number**: 09433
- **Alternate Name**: Kosmos 855

These identifiers are used globally for satellite tracking and cataloging by organizations such as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).

### Historical Context
Launched during the height of the Cold War, Cosmos 855 exemplifies the dual-use nature of space technology—advancing scientific understanding while also serving military functions. Satellites like Cosmos 855 played a crucial role in shaping global intelligence strategies throughout the latter half of the 20th century.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report