# Gorizont 22
**Wikidata**: [Q16061186](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16061186)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gorizont-22

## Summary  
Gorizont 22 is a Soviet-era communications satellite launched on November 23, 1990, as part of the Gorizont series, which operated from 1978 to 2000. It was deployed using a Proton-K rocket and provided telecommunications services, including television broadcasting and telephone communications, primarily across the Soviet Union and Russia.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: November 23, 1990.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1990-102A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 20953.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-K rocket with a Blok DM-2 space tug.  
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.  
- **Series**: Part of the Gorizont class of satellites.  
- **Primary Function**: Telecommunications, supporting TV, telephone, and data transmission.  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Gorizont 22 launched?  
A: Gorizont 22 was launched on November 23, 1990.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Gorizont 22?  
A: It was launched using a Proton-K carrier rocket, equipped with a Blok DM-2 space tug.  

### Q: What was the purpose of Gorizont 22?  
A: The satellite provided telecommunications services, including television broadcasting and telephone communications, across the Soviet Union and later Russia.  

## Why It Matters  
Gorizont 22 played a critical role in maintaining Soviet and Russian telecommunications infrastructure during the late Cold War and early post-Soviet era. As part of the broader Gorizont series, it supported domestic and international communications, enabling TV broadcasts, phone services, and data transmission across vast and remote regions. The satellite’s deployment underscored the strategic importance of space-based infrastructure for both civilian and military purposes, reflecting the Soviet Union’s investment in satellite technology to bridge geographical gaps. Its operation during a period of significant political and social change highlights its contribution to connectivity in an evolving geopolitical landscape.  

## Notable For  
- **Series Longevity**: Part of the Gorizont program, which spanned 22 years (1978–2000) and included multiple satellites.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Utilized the Proton-K rocket, a workhorse of Soviet and Russian space launches.  
- **Geostationary Role**: Operated in geostationary orbit to provide continuous coverage of the USSR’s expansive territory.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
Gorizont 22 was launched on November 23, 1990, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 in Kazakhstan. The launch vehicle was a Proton-K rocket, augmented by a Blok DM-2 space tug, which inserted the satellite into geostationary orbit.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Satellite Class**: Gorizont (Horizon), designed for telecommunications.  
- **Identifiers**: COSPAR ID 1990-102A, SCN 20953.  
- **Mission Type**: Civilian and military communications support.  

### Mission Context  
The Gorizont series, including Gorizont 22, was developed to address the Soviet Union’s need for reliable, nationwide telecommunications. These satellites operated in geostationary orbit, enabling continuous coverage of the USSR’s 11 time zones. Gorizont 22 specifically contributed to broadcasting, telephony, and data relay services, supporting both civilian infrastructure and state operations. The satellite’s launch in 1990 occurred amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union, underscoring the continued reliance on space assets during a period of transition.  

### Legacy  
While individual satellites like Gorizont 22 were not publicly distinguished from the broader series, the Gorizont program as a whole represented a foundational element of Soviet and Russian space-based telecommunications. The series was eventually succeeded by newer satellite constellations, but its operational lifespan reflected the durability and adaptability of Soviet-era space technology.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report