# Gonets D1-1

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111498937](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111498937)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gonets-d1-1

## Summary
Gonets D1-1 is a Russian communications satellite launched on February 19, 1996. It is an artificial satellite operated as part of the Gonets constellation, which facilitates data communications. The satellite was deployed into orbit using a Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Artificial Satellite (Communications)
- **Launch Date:** February 19, 1996
- **COSPAR ID:** 1996-009A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 23787
- **Launch Vehicle:** Tsyklon-3
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32
- **Constellation:** Part of the Gonets constellation; classed under the Strela military communications satellites.
- **Origin:** Soviet/Russian space program.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Gonets D1-1 launched?
A: Gonets D1-1 was launched on February 19, 1996. It was delivered to orbit by a Tsyklon-3 rocket.

### Q: What was the function of Gonets D1-1?
A: Gonets D1-1 functioned as a communications satellite. It was part of the Gonets constellation, which is related to the Strela class of Soviet/Russian military communications satellites.

### Q: Where did Gonets D1-1 launch from?
A: The satellite launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically from Site 32.

## Why It Matters
Gonets D1-1 represents a specific era in the post-Soviet Russian space program, serving as a node in the transition between Soviet-era military technology and modern Russian satellite communications. As part of the Gonets constellation, which derives from the Strela class of satellites, D1-1 illustrates the dual-use nature of space technology, where platforms designed for military "store-and-forward" communications are utilized for broader civil and commercial data transmission.

Launched in 1996, the satellite was deployed during a critical period of maintaining space infrastructure following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Its launch aboard a Tsyklon-3 vehicle—a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle—highlights the industrial cooperation and legacy hardware utilization prevalent in the mid-1990s aerospace sector. By providing communication capabilities, Gonets D1-1 contributed to the robustness of the Russian satellite network, ensuring continued data relay capabilities in the global communications landscape.

## Notable For
- **Constellation Membership:** Identified as a component of the Gonets low-earth orbit communication system.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Utilized the Tsyklon-3, a notable Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch system.
- **Military Lineage:** Classified as part of the Strela constellation, a series of Soviet/Russian military communications satellites.
- **Unique Identifier:** Assigned the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "23787"]`.

## Body

### Classification and Identity
Gonets D1-1 is formally classified as an artificial satellite designed for communications purposes. It is cataloged internationally under the COSPAR ID 1996-009A and the Satellite Catalog Number 23787. The satellite is an instance of a human-made object put into orbit and operates within the specific framework of the Gonets and Strela satellite constellations.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on February 19, 1996. The mission utilized a Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle, an expendable rocket system developed during the Soviet era and utilized by both Soviet and Ukrainian programs. The launch originated from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically launching from Site 32, a key launch complex for Russian space operations.

### Constellation and Program Context
Gonets D1-1 is a part of the Gonets satellite system. Structurally and historically, it is linked to the Strela class—a constellation of Soviet and subsequently Russian military communications satellites. This relationship underscores the satellite's role within a larger network of defense and communications infrastructure adapted for various data transmission tasks.