# Gorizont 23
**Wikidata**: [Q16061188](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16061188)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gorizont-23

## Summary
Gorizont 23 is a Russian (formerly Soviet) satellite that belongs to the Gorizont series of communications satellites. Launched on July 1, 1991, it was deployed into orbit using a Proton-K carrier rocket equipped with a Blok DM-2 space tug. It is identified internationally by the COSPAR ID 1991-046A and the Satellite Catalog Number 21533.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Gorizont 23 is an instance of the **Gorizont** class of satellites, a series launched between 1978 and 2000.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on **July 1, 1991**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was carried into space by a **Proton-K** rocket, a heavy-lift launch vehicle of Russian/Soviet origin.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200**.
*   **Space Tug:** The deployment utilized a **Blok DM-2** space tug to facilitate orbital insertion.
*   **Identifiers:** The satellite's COSPAR ID is **1991-046A** and its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is **21533**.
*   **Digital IDs:** It is listed in the Google Knowledge Graph as `/g/1pznmjp22` and in the Wolfram Language as `Entity["Satellite", "21533"]`.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Gorizont 23 launched?
A: Gorizont 23 was launched on July 1, 1991.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Gorizont 23?
A: The satellite was launched using a Proton-K carrier rocket, which is a Russian/Soviet launch vehicle.

### Q: What type of satellite is Gorizont 23?
A: Gorizont 23 is a satellite belonging to the Gorizont series, a class of Russian/Soviet spacecraft that were launched between 1978 and 2000.

## Why It Matters
Gorizont 23 serves as a specific historical data point within the broader timeline of the Soviet and Russian space programs. As one of the many satellites in the Gorizont series, it represents the continuation of space-based capabilities during the transitionary period of 1991, the final year of the Soviet Union.

The entry is significant for satellite trackers and space historians due to its precise technical documentation. The use of the Proton-K rocket combined with the Blok DM-2 space tug illustrates the standard heavy-lift configuration used for this class of satellite during that era. Furthermore, the detailed metadata available for Gorizont 23—including its specific launch site (Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200) and its dual identifiers (COSPAR and SCN)—makes it a fully traceable object in orbital catalogs, contributing to the accurate mapping of space history.

## Notable For
*   **Series Membership:** Being part of the Gorizont series, which had a operational span of over two decades (1978–2000).
*   **Specific Launch Configuration:** Utilizing the combination of a Proton-K rocket and a Blok DM-2 upper stage/space tug.
*   **Launch Location:** Deploying from the specific Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 facility.
*   **Historical Timing:** Launching in mid-1991, a pivotal year in Russian and Soviet history.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
Gorizont 23 is officially classified as a member of the **Gorizont** series of satellites. This series originated in the Soviet Union and continued through the Russian Federation, with operational launches spanning from 1978 to the year 2000. The satellite is cataloged in international databases with the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) **21533** and the COSPAR international designator **1991-046A**.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite successfully launched on **July 1, 1991**. The mission utilized a **Proton-K** carrier rocket, a workhorse of the Soviet/Russian space fleet known for its heavy-lift capabilities.

To achieve its final orbit, the launch vehicle was supported by a **Blok DM-2** space tug. This upper stage system is designed to propel payloads from an initial parking orbit to a higher geostationary or geosynchronous orbit. The launch operation was conducted at the **Baikonur Cosmodrome**, specifically from **Site 200**, a major launch complex used for Proton rockets.

### Technical Context
*   **Wolfram Language Entity:** `Entity["Satellite", "21533"]`
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** `/g/1pznmjp22`
*   **Wikipedia Presence:** The entity has a sitelink presence in the Portuguese language Wikipedia (`pt`).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report