# Foton 1
**Wikidata**: [Q12907456](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907456)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/foton-1

## Summary
Foton 1 was a Soviet satellite launched on April 16, 1985, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. It was part of the Foton program, which conducted scientific research in space. The satellite was assigned the COSPAR ID 1985-029A and the international designator 15645.

## Key Facts
- Launched on April 16, 1985, at 17:15:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41
- Launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a Soviet-designed universal rocket variant
- Assigned COSPAR ID 1985-029A and international designator 15645
- Classified as a Foton satellite, part of a scientific research program
- Significant event: rocket launch with launch site and exact time documented
- Available in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr) Wikipedia editions
- Recognized in Wolfram Language as Entity["Satellite", "19043"]

### Q: What was Foton 1?
A: Foton 1 was a Soviet scientific research satellite launched in 1985 as part of the Foton program. It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket to conduct experiments in space.

### Q: When and how was Foton 1 launched?
A: Foton 1 was launched on April 16, 1985, at 17:15:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 using a Soyuz-U rocket, a Soviet-designed universal rocket variant.

### Q: What identification numbers were assigned to Foton 1?
A: Foton 1 was assigned the COSPAR ID 1985-029A and the international designator 15645, which are standard identification systems for space objects.

## Why It Matters
Foton 1 represented an important step in Soviet space research capabilities during the Cold War era. As part of the Foton program, it contributed to scientific understanding through space-based experiments, helping advance knowledge in areas such as microgravity research and materials science. The successful launch demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-U rocket system, which became a workhorse for Soviet and later Russian space missions. Foton 1's launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome also highlighted the strategic importance of this northern launch site for Soviet space operations. The satellite's data collection and experimental results would have contributed to both civilian scientific research and potential military applications, reflecting the dual-use nature of space technology during this period.

## Notable For
- First satellite in the Foton program series, establishing a foundation for subsequent missions
- Demonstrated successful integration of scientific payloads with the reliable Soyuz-U launch vehicle
- Contributed to the Soviet Union's space research capabilities during a critical period of the Cold War
- Part of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome's operational history as a key Soviet launch facility
- Represented the Soviet approach to combining scientific research with space technology development

## Body
### Launch Details
Foton 1 launched on April 16, 1985, at exactly 17:15:00 UTC from Site 41 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. This launch site, located at approximately 62.9°N latitude, was one of the Soviet Union's primary spaceports for military and scientific missions. The precise timing and documentation of the launch reflect the careful planning and coordination required for space operations.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket, which was the most-produced rocket in history and served as the workhorse of the Soviet and Russian space programs for decades. The Soyuz-U variant was specifically designed as a "universal" rocket capable of launching various payloads to different orbits. Foton 1's international designator 15645 and COSPAR ID 1985-029A follow standard cataloging conventions used by space agencies worldwide to track objects in orbit.

### Program Context
As the inaugural satellite in the Foton program, this mission established the foundation for a series of scientific research satellites that would continue for decades. The Foton program focused on microgravity research, materials science experiments, and biological studies in space. These satellites typically carried multiple experiments from various research institutions, making them valuable platforms for scientific discovery.

### Documentation and Recognition
Foton 1 is documented in multiple languages on Wikipedia, including Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian editions, indicating its recognition across different linguistic communities in Eastern Europe. The satellite is also formally recognized in computational knowledge systems like Wolfram Language, where it is identified as Entity["Satellite", "19043"], demonstrating its inclusion in structured scientific databases.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report