# Cosmos 881
**Wikidata**: [Q3399690](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3399690)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-881

## Summary
Cosmos 881 was a Soviet military satellite launched on December 15, 1976, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It was part of the Kosmos series of satellites and was launched using a Proton-K carrier rocket. The satellite is identified by its international designation 1976-121A and catalog number 09606.

## Key Facts
- Launched on December 15, 1976, at 01:30:00 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24
- Satellite catalog number: 09606
- International designation: 1976-121A
- Part of the Kosmos series of Soviet and Russian military satellites
- Launched using a Proton-K carrier rocket
- Available in Wikipedia languages: Bulgarian, Macedonian, Serbian, and Serbo-Croatian
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "09606"]

## FAQs
### Q: What was Cosmos 881?
A: Cosmos 881 was a Soviet military satellite launched on December 15, 1976, as part of the Kosmos series. It was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Proton-K carrier rocket.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 881 launched?
A: Cosmos 881 was launched on December 15, 1976, at 01:30:00 UTC from Site 81/24 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

### Q: What type of rocket launched Cosmos 881?
A: Cosmos 881 was launched using a Proton-K carrier rocket, which was a Russian (previously Soviet) launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 881 represents a significant component of the Soviet Union's military satellite program during the Cold War era. As part of the Kosmos series, it contributed to the USSR's space-based reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering capabilities. The successful launch of Cosmos 881 using the Proton-K rocket demonstrated the reliability and versatility of this launch vehicle, which would go on to play a crucial role in both military and civilian space missions for decades. The satellite's deployment from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, a key Soviet space launch facility, underscores the strategic importance of this location in the USSR's space program. Understanding satellites like Cosmos 881 provides insight into the technological and geopolitical dynamics of the space race and Cold War military strategies.

## Notable For
- Part of the extensive Kosmos series of Soviet military satellites
- Launched using the reliable Proton-K carrier rocket
- Contributed to Soviet military space capabilities during the Cold War
- Successfully launched from the strategically important Baikonur Cosmodrome
- Represents the technological capabilities of Soviet space program in the mid-1970s

## Body
### Launch Details
Cosmos 881 was launched on December 15, 1976, at 01:30:00 UTC from Site 81/24 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. This launch site, located in Kazakhstan, was a crucial facility for the Soviet space program. The satellite was carried into orbit by a Proton-K rocket, a workhorse of the Soviet and later Russian space program.

### Satellite Classification
Cosmos 881 is classified as part of the Kosmos series, which encompasses a large number of Soviet and Russian military satellites. The Kosmos designation was used for a variety of satellite types, including reconnaissance, communication, and scientific research satellites. This classification indicates that Cosmos 881 likely served a military purpose, though specific details about its mission are not publicly available.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite is identified by its international designation 1976-121A and catalog number 09606. These designations are used by space agencies and organizations worldwide to track and catalog objects in Earth's orbit. The availability of Cosmos 881 information in multiple Wikipedia languages (Bulgarian, Macedonian, Serbian, and Serbo-Croatian) suggests its significance in the context of Eastern European and former Soviet space programs.

### Launch Vehicle
The Proton-K rocket used to launch Cosmos 881 was a heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union. It was primarily used for launching heavy payloads into low Earth orbit, geosynchronous orbit, and for interplanetary missions. The successful use of the Proton-K for this launch demonstrates the rocket's reliability and its importance in the Soviet space program's capabilities during this period.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report