# Cosmos 857
**Wikidata**: [Q12754031](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754031)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-857

## Summary
Cosmos 857 is a Soviet satellite of the Zenit-4MK class that was launched into orbit on September 24, 1976. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle as part of the Soviet Union's space program.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** September 24, 1976
- **Launch Time:** 15:00:00 UTC
- **Classification:** Zenit-4MK class satellite
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal rocket design variant)
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 09439
- **COSPAR ID:** 1976-097A
- **Originating Country:** Soviet Union
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 857

## FAQs
### Q: What is Cosmos 857?
A: Cosmos 857 (also known as Kosmos 857) is a Soviet satellite launched in 1976. It is an instance of the Zenit-4MK spacecraft class and was used for orbital operations.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 857 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on September 24, 1976, at 15:00:00. It was sent into space from Site 43 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

### Q: What rocket was used to carry Cosmos 857 into orbit?
A: Cosmos 857 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket. The Soyuz-U is a specific "Universal" variant of the Soviet Soyuz rocket design family.

### Q: How is Cosmos 857 identified in satellite catalogs?
A: It is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 09439 and the international COSPAR ID 1976-097A. It is also indexed in the Wolfram Language as Entity["Satellite", "09439"].

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 857 serves as a documented component of the Soviet Union's Zenit-4MK satellite series, launched during a period of high-frequency orbital activity in 1976. Its deployment is significant for its use of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, a "Universal" variant that became a cornerstone of Soviet and later Russian spaceflight. By launching from Site 43 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, the mission utilized one of the Soviet Union's most critical launch facilities for polar and high-inclination orbits. 

The satellite's identification via SCN 09439 and COSPAR ID 1976-097A ensures its place in the permanent record of human-made objects in space. Furthermore, its inclusion in various linguistic databases, such as Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian Wikipedia, underscores its relevance in the historical study of Soviet aerospace achievements. As a Zenit-4MK instance, it represents the technical evolution of the Zenit program, contributing to the broader operational history of the Soyuz-U rocket system and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome's Site 43 infrastructure.

## Notable For
- **Spacecraft Class:** It is a specific instance of the Zenit-4MK satellite series.
- **Standardized Launch:** Utilized the Soyuz-U "Universal" rocket, a key variant in Soviet rocket design.
- **High-Latitude Launch:** Deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a major Soviet spaceport located at Site 43.
- **International Tracking:** Recognized globally by the COSPAR ID 1976-097A and SCN 09439.

## Body

### Mission Overview
Cosmos 857, frequently referred to by the alias Kosmos 857, was a Soviet satellite mission launched in the third quarter of 1976. The mission is officially categorized as an instance of the Zenit-4MK class of spacecraft. 

### Launch and Deployment
The launch of Cosmos 857 took place on September 24, 1976. The event was recorded at 15:00:00 UTC. The mission originated from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically utilizing the launch facilities at Site 43. 

The launch vehicle employed for this mission was the Soyuz-U. This rocket is a "Universal" (Universalnaya) variant of the Soyuz design, developed by the Soviet Union to provide a standardized and reliable launch platform for various satellite classes.

### Technical Identification and Records
Cosmos 857 is documented across several international and academic databases:
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 09439
- **COSPAR ID:** 1976-097A
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "09439"]

The satellite has a presence in regional historical records, with dedicated entries in the Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr) versions of Wikipedia, totaling three sitelinks across the platform.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report