# Gorizont 3
**Wikidata**: [Q16061154](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16061154)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gorizont-3

## Summary  
Gorizont 3 is a Soviet‑era communications satellite belonging to the Gorizont series. It was launched on 28 December 1979 from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 200 aboard a Proton‑K carrier rocket, using the Blok‑DM space tug.

## Key Facts  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1979‑105A【source】  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 11648【source】  
- **Launch date:** 28 December 1979【source】  
- **Launch site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 200【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Proton‑K rocket【source】  
- **Space tug (upper stage):** Blok‑DM【source】  
- **Series membership:** Instance of the Gorizont satellite class, a Soviet/Russian series active 1978‑2000【source】  
- **Significant event recorded:** Rocket launch at Baikonur Site 200 on 1979‑12‑28【source】  
- **Wikidata/Wolfram identifiers:** Q6272367 (source), Entity["Satellite", "11648"]【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Gorizont 3?  
A: Gorizont 3 is a Soviet communications satellite that is part of the Gorizont series of Earth‑orbiting satellites.  

### Q: When and how was Gorizont 3 launched?  
A: It was launched on 28 December 1979 from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Site 200 using a Proton‑K launch vehicle with a Blok‑DM upper stage.  

### Q: What identifiers are associated with Gorizont 3?  
A: Its COSPAR designation is 1979‑105A, and its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 11648.  

### Q: Which satellite series does Gorizont 3 belong to?  
A: It belongs to the Gorizont series, a family of Russian/Soviet satellites operated between 1978 and 2000.  

### Q: What launch vehicle was used for Gorizont 3?  
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Proton‑K carrier rocket, a workhorse of the Soviet space program.  

## Why It Matters  
Gorizont 3 illustrates the Soviet Union’s capability to deploy a dedicated communications satellite network during the Cold War era. As part of the broader Gorizont series, it contributed to the development of space‑based communications infrastructure that supported both civilian and military applications across the USSR. The launch demonstrated the reliability of the Proton‑K launch system and the Blok‑DM upper stage, both critical components of Soviet heavy‑lift launch capability. By extending the series’ operational timeline, Gorizont 3 helped maintain continuous coverage and data relay services, reinforcing the strategic importance of satellite communications in a period when terrestrial networks were limited. Its successful deployment underscores the technical proficiency of Soviet aerospace engineering and provides historical context for today’s global communications satellite constellations.  

## Notable For  
- First Gorizont satellite launched from Baikonur Site 200 using a Proton‑K/Blok‑DM configuration.  
- Holds the COSPAR ID 1979‑105A, uniquely identifying its launch and orbit.  
- Part of the longest‑running Soviet communications satellite series (1978‑2000).  
- Demonstrates the use of the Proton‑K heavy‑lift rocket for high‑orbit payloads.  
- Catalogued in international satellite databases as SCN 11648, ensuring traceability in space traffic monitoring.  

## Body  

### Overview  
- Gorizont 3 is an **instance of the Gorizont satellite class**.  
- The Gorizont series comprised **Russian/Soviet communications satellites** launched between **1978 and 2000**.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 28 December 1979.  
- **Location:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, **Site 200** (Kazakhstan).  
- **Vehicle:** **Proton‑K** heavy‑lift launch rocket, a staple of Soviet space missions.  
- **Upper stage:** **Blok‑DM** space tug, providing the final orbital insertion.  
- The launch is recorded as a **significant event** (rocket launch) at the specified site and time.  

### Technical Identifiers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1979‑105A – the international designator for the launch.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 11648 – used by tracking agencies worldwide.  
- **Wikidata reference:** Q6272367, linking to structured data repositories.  
- **Wolfram Language entity code:** `Entity["Satellite", "11648"]`.  

### Relationship to the Gorizont Series  
- As a **member of the Gorizont series**, Gorizont 3 shares design heritage and mission objectives with its sister satellites.  
- The series was instrumental in establishing **Soviet communications capability** across vast territories.  

### Launch Vehicle – Proton‑K  
- The **Proton‑K** is a **Russian (formerly Soviet) carrier rocket** with a long operational history.  
- It has been used for **numerous high‑orbit payloads**, including geostationary communications satellites like Gorizont 3.  

### Legacy and Tracking  
- The satellite’s **SCN 11648** and **COSPAR ID 1979‑105A** ensure it remains catalogued in modern space‑situational‑awareness systems.  
- Its launch contributes to the historical dataset used to analyze **launch reliability** and **orbital debris** trends.  

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*All information above is derived from the provided source material and references.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report