# Cosmos 863
**Wikidata**: [Q13566929](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566929)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-863

## Summary
Cosmos 863 is a Soviet satellite launched on October 25, 1976, as part of the Zenit-4MK spacecraft class. It was deployed into orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** October 25, 1976
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal rocket design variant)
- **Satellite Class:** Zenit-4MK
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 09499
- **COSPAR ID:** 1976-106A
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union
- **Launch Time:** 14:30:00 UTC
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 863

## FAQs
### Q: What is Cosmos 863?
A: Cosmos 863 is a Soviet satellite that belongs to the Zenit-4MK class. It was launched in the mid-1970s as part of the Soviet Union's space program.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 863 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on October 25, 1976, at 14:30:00 UTC. The launch took place at Site 43/4 of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 863?
A: Cosmos 863 was carried into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket. This vehicle is a "Universal" variant of the Soviet Soyuz rocket design.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 863 serves as a historical data point in the development and deployment of Soviet orbital technology during the 1970s. As an instance of the Zenit-4MK class, it represents the operational use of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket lineage that became a cornerstone of Soviet and later Russian aerospace efforts. 

The mission provides specific technical benchmarks for orbital mechanics and launch logistics, evidenced by its precise launch time of 14:30:00 and its deployment from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4. Its tracking data, including Satellite Catalog Number 09499 and COSPAR ID 1976-106A, allows researchers to catalog the frequency and success rates of the Zenit-4MK class. Furthermore, its presence in international databases like the Wolfram Language and multiple Wikipedia editions (Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian) underscores its relevance in the global record of space exploration. Understanding Cosmos 863 helps clarify the scale and technical capabilities of the Soviet Union's space infrastructure during a period of intense orbital activity.

## Notable For
- **Spacecraft Class:** Identified as an instance of the Zenit-4MK satellite series.
- **Launch Platform:** Utilized the Soyuz-U, a significant "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket family.
- **Geographic Origin:** Launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a major Soviet spaceport.
- **International Tracking:** Assigned unique identifiers including COSPAR ID 1976-106A and SCN 09499 for global orbital monitoring.

## Body

### Technical Classification
Cosmos 863, also referred to by the alias Kosmos 863, is classified as a Zenit-4MK satellite. This class of spacecraft was a standard component of the Soviet Union's orbital inventory during its active years.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on October 25, 1976. The launch event was recorded at exactly 14:30:00 UTC. The mission utilized the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, which is a specific "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design originating from the Soviet Union.

### Launch Site Specifications
The deployment of Cosmos 863 occurred at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Specifically, the rocket departed from Site 43/4, a designated launch facility within the cosmodrome used for Soyuz-U missions.

### Identification and Documentation
For astronomical and historical tracking, the satellite is identified by several codes:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1976-106A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 09499
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "09499"]

The entity is also documented in various linguistic contexts, with dedicated entries in the Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian versions of Wikipedia.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report