# Foton 3
**Wikidata**: [Q13660130](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13660130)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/foton-3

## Summary
Foton 3 (also known as Фотон-3) was a Soviet satellite launched on April 24, 1987. It was an instance of the Foton class of satellites and was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41. The mission is identified by the COSPAR ID 1987-037A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Foton 3 is an instance of the Foton satellite class.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on April 24, 1987.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal design variant originating from the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Site:** The launch took place at Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
- **Launch Time:** The significant rocket launch event occurred at 16:59:59.
- **COSPAR ID:** The international designation for this entity is 1987-037A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It holds the SCN value of 17907.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known by the alias "Фотон-3".

## FAQs
### Q: When and where was Foton 3 launched?
A: Foton 3 was launched on April 24, 1987, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Foton 3?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, which is a Soviet Soyuz rocket design variant known as "Universal."

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID for Foton 3?
A: The COSPAR ID (international designator) for Foton 3 is 1987-037A.

## Why It Matters
Foton 3 serves as a specific data point in the history of Soviet space exploration, representing the continuation of the Foton satellite program in the late 1980s. Its significance is anchored in its precise documentation and tracking within major space databases. By utilizing the Soyuz-U launch vehicle—a workhorse of the Soviet space program—the mission highlights the reliance on established rocket technologies for satellite deployment during this era.

The entry provides critical logistical data for researchers tracking space object catalogs. The detailed recording of its launch time (to the second), specific launch pad (Site 41), and catalog numbers (SCN 17907) ensures the accurate identification of this object amidst the thousands launched during the Cold War era. Furthermore, its classification under the Foton [class] links it to a broader lineage of satellites utilized for specific mission profiles, marking it as a distinct entity in aerospace records such as Wikidata and Wolfram Language databases.

## Notable For
- Being a specific operational instance of the **Foton** satellite class.
- Launching via the **Soyuz-U** rocket variant.
- Originating from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41**, a major Russian spaceport.
- Possessing a precise launch time record of **16:59:59** on its launch date.
- Being indexed as a distinct entity in the **Wolfram Language** (Entity["Satellite", "20566"]).

## Body
### Launch Details
Foton 3 was successfully launched into orbit on April 24, 1987. The mission was executed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically utilizing Site 41 as the start point. The launch vehicle responsible for placing the satellite into orbit was the Soyuz-U, a rocket design variant classified as "Universal" which originated in the Soviet Union. The precise moment of the rocket launch was recorded at 16:59:59.

### Identification and Classification
The satellite is formally classified as an instance of **Foton** [class]. It is internationally identified by the COSPAR ID **1987-037A** and maintains a Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) of **17907**.

### Linguistic and Data Presence
The entity is recognized across multiple languages and database systems:
- **Aliases:** It is referred to as "Фотон-3" in Cyrillic script.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** It has sitelinks in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr), with a total sitelink count of 3.
- **Computational ID:** In the Wolfram Language, the entity is coded as `Entity["Satellite", "20566"]`.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report