# Cosmos 879
**Wikidata**: [Q12754043](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754043)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-879

## Summary
Cosmos 879 (also known as Kosmos 879) was a Soviet spy satellite launched on December 9, 1976. Designated as a Zenit 2M class spacecraft, it was deployed into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 879 is an instance of a Zenit 2M, a class of Soviet spy satellite.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on December 9, 1976.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered to orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international designator is 1976-119A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 09599.
- **Launch Time:** The significant event (rocket launch) occurred at 10:00:00.
- **Alternate Name:** The entity is aliased as "Kosmos 879."

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 879?
A: Cosmos 879 was a Soviet spy satellite specifically classified as a Zenit 2M.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 879 launched?
A: It was launched on December 9, 1976, at 10:00:00, using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID for Cosmos 879?
A: The COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) ID for this satellite is 1976-119A.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 879 serves as a specific historical data point within the extensive Soviet "Cosmos" program, which assigned the generic designation "Cosmos" to a wide array of military and scientific satellites to obscure their specific missions. As a Zenit 2M satellite, this entity represents a generation of Soviet optical reconnaissance spacecraft used for intelligence gathering during the Cold War.

The entry is significant for space historians and analysts tracking the frequency and configuration of Soviet military launches. It documents the specific use of the Soyuz-U rocket—a "Universal" variant—for deploying reconnaissance payloads and confirms the operational status of Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in the late 1970s. By cataloging specific identifiers like the COSPAR ID (1976-119A) and Satellite Catalog Number (09599), this entry aids in the precise tracking and differentiation of the thousands of objects launched during the space race.

## Notable For
- Being a confirmed member of the **Zenit 2M** class of spy satellites.
- Launching atop the **Soyuz-U**, described as the "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket.
- Identification by the specific **Wolfram Language entity code**: `Entity["Satellite", "09599"]`.
- Utilizing **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4** as its launch complex.

## Body
### Mission Identity and Classification
Cosmos 879 is identified in space catalog databases by the COSPAR ID `1976-119A` and the Satellite Catalog Number `09599`. The Soviet Union designated this mission under the broad "Cosmos" umbrella, a standard practice for military flights. The spacecraft is technically classified as an **instance of Zenit 2M**, a type of Soviet spy satellite.

### Launch Details
The deployment of Cosmos 879 was a significant event characterized by the following parameters:
- **Date of Launch:** December 9, 1976
- **Time of Launch:** 10:00:00
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U

The Soyuz-U is noted in related records as a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design, manufactured and launched by the Soviet Union. The successful integration of the Zenit 2M payload with the Soyuz-U launch system demonstrates a standard configuration for military reconnaissance missions of that era.

### Data and References
The satellite's details are supported by structured properties and references, including identifiers found in Wolfram Language data and site link counts across Wikipedia languages (mk, sh, sr). The satellite's alias, **Kosmos 879**, reflects transliteration variations found in international records.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report