# Cosmos 899
**Wikidata**: [Q13566934](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566934)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-899

## Summary
Cosmos 899 (also known as Kosmos 899) was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched on March 24, 1977. It belonged to the Tselina-OM class of satellites and was deployed into orbit using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Cosmos 899 is an instance of the **Tselina-OM** model, a class of Soviet signals intelligence satellites.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on **March 24, 1977**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled by a **Kosmos-3M** rocket.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**.
*   **COSPAR ID:** Its international designation is **1977-022A**.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under the number **09883**.
*   **Launch Event Specifics:** The specific rocket launch occurred at **22:11:00** on the date of launch.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 899?
A: Cosmos 899 was a Tselina-OM class satellite, which is a model of Soviet signals intelligence satellite used for gathering electronic information.

### Q: When was Cosmos 899 launched?
A: Cosmos 899 was launched on March 24, 1977, at 22:11:00 UTC.

### Q: What rocket was used to deploy Cosmos 899?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket, a launch vehicle frequently used by the Soviet Union and later Russia.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 899 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's extensive signals intelligence (SIGINT) operations during the Cold War. As part of the **Tselina-OM** class, it highlights the technological infrastructure the USSR utilized to monitor and gather electronic signals from space. The Tselina program was a critical component of Soviet military capabilities, providing strategic intelligence that informed national security decisions.

The launch of Cosmos 899 also illustrates the operational rhythm and reliability of the Soviet space program. Utilizing the standardized **Kosmos-3M** rocket and launching from the busy **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, the mission reflects the industrial scale of space deployments in 1977. By cataloging this specific mission—down to the precise minute of launch—space historians and analysts can track the development and deployment patterns of Soviet military assets. The "Cosmos" designation itself is historically significant, as it was a blanket name used to obscure the military nature of such satellites, making detailed records like these essential for understanding the true scope of Soviet space activities.

## Notable For
*   **Signals Intelligence Role:** It is a distinct unit of the Tselina-OM class, dedicated to signals intelligence rather than imaging or communications.
*   **Specific Launch Timing:** The mission is recorded with a precise launch time of 22:11:00, allowing for accurate historical tracking.
*   **Launch Platform:** It utilized the Kosmos-3M, a workhorse rocket for Soviet military satellites.
*   **Cosmos Designation:** It is part of the broader "Kosmos" program, which encompassed over 2,000 Soviet satellites, often masking military functions.

## Body

### Mission Profile
Cosmos 899 was an artificial satellite operating under the Soviet Tselina-OM program. Its primary function was signals intelligence (SIGINT), designed to intercept electronic emissions such as radar and communications from Earth. The satellite was assigned the COSPAR international designator **1977-022A**, indicating it was the 22nd successful orbital launch of 1977.

### Launch Details
The satellite successfully achieved orbit via a **significant event** classified as a rocket launch.
*   **Date:** March 24, 1977
*   **Time:** 22:11:00
*   **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
*   **Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M (a two-stage liquid-fueled rocket)

### Technical Identifiers
In various scientific and tracking databases, Cosmos 899 is identified by specific codes:
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 09883
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "09883"]`

The satellite's launch was facilitated by the Kosmos-3M rocket, a vehicle associated with both the Soviet Union and Russia, noted for its longevity and use in deploying lightweight military satellites.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report