# Cosmos 872
**Wikidata**: [Q12907817](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907817)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-872

## Summary
Cosmos 872 (also known as Kosmos 872) was a Soviet satellite launched on December 7, 1976. It was a Strela-1M class spacecraft deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The satellite is identified by the international designation 1976-118B and the SATCAT number 09589.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 872 is an instance of the Strela-1M satellite class.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on December 7, 1976.
- **Launch Time:** The launch took place at 10:23:00.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **COSPAR ID:** The international identifier for this entity is 1976-118B.
- **SATCAT Number:** The Satellite Catalog Number is 09589.
- **Aliases:** The entity is also referred to as Kosmos 872.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 872?
A: Cosmos 872 was a Strela-1M class satellite. It was launched as part of the Soviet space program.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 872 launched?
A: Cosmos 872 was launched on December 7, 1976, at 10:23:00. It was delivered to orbit by a Kosmos-3M rocket launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.

### Q: What are the identifiers for Cosmos 872?
A: The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1976-118B and the SATCAT number 09589. It is also listed under the alias Kosmos 872.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 872 represents a specific data point in the history of the Soviet "Kosmos" program, a broad designation used for a wide variety of Soviet satellites. The entry provides high-fidelity tracking data essential for orbital mechanics and historical spaceflight analysis. By documenting the specific class (Strela-1M) and the launch configuration (Kosmos-3M rocket, Site 132), this knowledge entry helps distinguish this specific mission from the thousands of other objects designated under the Kosmos umbrella.

The precise temporal data—pinpointing the launch to the second (10:23:00)—and the inclusion of both COSPAR and SATCAT identifiers make this entity verifiable across international space registries. This level of detail is critical for researchers analyzing launch cadence, site utilization at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, and the deployment history of the Strela-1M satellite constellation during the Cold War era.

## Notable For
- Being a documented instance of the **Strela-1M** class of satellites.
- Launching from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**, a specific operational pad.
- Utilizing the **Kosmos-3M** launch vehicle, a workhorse rocket of the Soviet era.
- Having a precise, recorded **launch time of 10:23:00**.
- Possessing a verified **COSPAR ID (1976-118B)** and **SATCAT number (09589)** for international tracking.

## Body

### Mission Classification and Identity
Cosmos 872 is officially classified as a **Strela-1M** satellite. It operates under the standard Soviet naming convention where numerous satellites were designated under the broad "Kosmos" (or "Cosmos") label. The entity is tracked internationally under the **COSPAR ID 1976-118B** and the **Satellite Catalog Number (SATCAT) 09589**. In the Wolfram Language, it is encoded as `Entity["Satellite", "09589"]`.

### Launch Details
The satellite's deployment is categorized as a significant event of type "rocket launch."
- **Date:** December 7, 1976
- **Time:** 10:23:00
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- **Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M

The Kosmos-3M vehicle utilized for this launch is identified in records as a Russian rocket associated with the Soviet Union.

### Data References
The structured data regarding Cosmos 872 is supported by references found in Wikidata and academic sources (specifically referenced via the identifier `Q6272367`). The entity has historical presence on Wikipedia in the Macedonian (`mk`), Serbo-Croatian (`sh`), and Serbian (`sr`) languages.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report