# Cosmos 949
**Wikidata**: [Q12754076](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754076)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-949

## Summary
Cosmos 949 is a Soviet spy satellite launched in 1977 as part of the Yantar-2K reconnaissance program. It was deployed into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome to serve the military intelligence needs of the Soviet Union.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Yantar-2K Soviet spy satellite
- **Launch Date:** September 6, 1977
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal design variant)
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 10326
- **COSPAR ID:** 1977-085A
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union
- **Launch Time:** 17:30:00
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 949

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Cosmos 949?
A: Cosmos 949 was an instance of the Yantar-2K class, which were Soviet spy satellites. It was designed for military reconnaissance and intelligence gathering from orbit.

### Q: Which rocket was used to launch Cosmos 949?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz design. This vehicle was a standard workhorse for Soviet space missions during this era.

### Q: Where was Cosmos 949 launched from?
A: It was launched from Site 43 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The launch occurred on September 6, 1977, at exactly 17:30:00.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 949 represents the technical capabilities of the Soviet Union's space-based surveillance during the late 1970s. As a member of the Yantar-2K class, it was part of a specialized lineage of reconnaissance satellites that provided the Soviet military with essential intelligence. The mission utilized the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, highlighting the Soviet Union's reliance on standardized, "universal" rocket technology to maintain a consistent presence in low Earth orbit. Its deployment from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome—a primary site for military launches—underscores its role in the strategic defense infrastructure of the Cold War period. While specific mission details remain part of the historical record of Soviet military operations, its classification and identifiers (SCN 10326) allow it to be tracked as a distinct entity in the history of orbital surveillance.

## Notable For
- **Class Membership:** It is a specific instance of the Yantar-2K Soviet reconnaissance satellite class.
- **Launch Platform:** Utilized the Soyuz-U, a significant "Universal" variant of the Soviet rocket design.
- **Strategic Origin:** Launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, a key military spaceport.
- **Identification:** Tracked internationally under COSPAR ID 1977-085A and SCN 10326.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
Cosmos 949, also referred to by the alias Kosmos 949, was a military spacecraft belonging to the Soviet Union. It is classified as an instance of the Yantar-2K class, a series of satellites specifically designed for spy and reconnaissance operations. 

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on September 6, 1977. The significant event of the rocket launch took place at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically at Site 43. The launch was recorded at 17:30:00. 

### Technical Specifications
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The mission employed the Soyuz-U, a universal design variant of the Soyuz rocket family.
*   **Cataloging:** The spacecraft is identified in satellite catalogs by the number 10326.
*   **COSPAR ID:** Its international designator is 1977-085A.
*   **Entity Code:** In technical databases such as the Wolfram Language, it is referenced as Entity["Satellite", "10326"].

### International Documentation
Information regarding Cosmos 949 is maintained in various international records. It currently has dedicated entries in three Wikipedia language editions: Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr). The satellite's data is supported by references from academic and space tracking sources, including Wikidata and the SCN database.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report