# Cosmos 898
**Wikidata**: [Q12754053](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754053)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-898

## Summary
Cosmos 898 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on March 17, 1977, as part of the Zenit 2M program. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 1977-020A and SCN number 09871.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 898
- Alternate name: Kosmos 898
- Launch date: March 17, 1977
- Launch time: 08:30 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-U
- Satellite class: Zenit 2M (military reconnaissance)
- COSPAR ID: 1977-020A
- SCN number: 09871
- Country of origin: Soviet Union

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 898?
A: Cosmos 898 was a military reconnaissance satellite developed under the Zenit 2M program for the Soviet Union. Its primary function was intelligence gathering through optical surveillance.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 898 launched?
A: Cosmos 898 was launched on March 17, 1977, at 08:30 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What kind of rocket launched Cosmos 898?
A: Cosmos 898 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a widely used variant of the Soyuz launcher family designed for various orbital missions including military payloads.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 898 represents one of many classified satellites operated by the Soviet Union during the Cold War era to conduct strategic reconnaissance. As part of the Zenit 2M series, it contributed to the USSR's space-based intelligence capabilities, which were critical in maintaining geopolitical balance during that period. These missions enabled the collection of vital information without violating international airspace laws. Though details remain limited due to classification, Cosmos 898 exemplifies the technological competition between global powers in utilizing outer space for national security purposes.

## Notable For
- Part of the secretive Zenit 2M military satellite program
- Launched with the reliable and versatile Soyuz-U rocket
- One of numerous Cosmos-designated Soviet spacecraft used for espionage
- Operated during a peak phase of Cold War reconnaissance efforts
- Identified by multiple tracking systems including SCN and COSPAR IDs

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 898 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit 2M class. Satellites in this category were typically employed for photographic intelligence gathering over foreign territories.

### Launch Details
The spacecraft was successfully placed into orbit on March 17, 1977, at precisely 08:30 UTC. The launch occurred at Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, a major facility for Soviet military space operations.

### Launch Vehicle
It utilized the Soyuz-U rocket, a standardized version of the Soyuz family known for carrying both crewed and uncrewed payloads into low Earth orbit. This particular variant had extensive operational history within the Soviet space program.

### Identification and Classification
- Designation: Cosmos 898 (also referred to as Kosmos 898)
- Instance of: Zenit 2M satellite
- SCN Number: 09871
- COSPAR ID: 1977-020A

### Operational Context
As part of the broader Cosmos program, Cosmos 898 followed the standard practice of assigning the "Kosmos" prefix to Soviet satellites, often masking their true functions when those involved classified activities such as surveillance or electronic intelligence collection. Specific mission outcomes or deactivation dates are not publicly disclosed due to ongoing classification restrictions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report