# Gorizont 31
**Wikidata**: [Q16061207](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16061207)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gorizont-31

## Summary
Gorizont 31 is a Russian satellite belonging to the Gorizont class, launched on January 25, 1996. It was deployed via a Proton-K carrier rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome as part of a long-running series of Soviet and Russian spacecraft.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** January 25, 1996
- **Classification:** Instance of the Gorizont satellite series
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K carrier rocket
- **Space Tug:** Blok DM-2
- **Launch Location:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 23775
- **COSPAR ID:** 1996-005A
- **Series Duration:** The Gorizont class saw launches from 1978 through 2000
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "23775"]

## FAQs
### Q: What rocket was used to launch Gorizont 31?
A: Gorizont 31 was launched using a Proton-K carrier rocket. This vehicle is a Russian (formerly Soviet) heavy-lift rocket frequently used for satellite deployments.

### Q: Where was Gorizont 31 launched from?
A: The satellite was launched from Site 200 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place on January 25, 1996.

### Q: What is the Gorizont satellite series?
A: The Gorizont series is a class of Russian and Soviet satellites that were launched between 1978 and 2000. Gorizont 31 is one of the later entries in this specific series.

### Q: What technical identifiers are associated with Gorizont 31?
A: It is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 23775 and the COSPAR ID 1996-005A. It is also indexed in the Google Knowledge Graph as /g/1pznmkcqh.

## Why It Matters
Gorizont 31 represents a significant point in the late-stage deployment of the Gorizont satellite series. This series, which spanned over two decades from 1978 to 2000, was a cornerstone of Russian and Soviet orbital infrastructure. The successful launch of Gorizont 31 in 1996 highlights the continued operational use of the Proton-K carrier rocket and the Blok DM-2 space tug during the mid-1990s. As an instance of the Gorizont class, it contributed to a legacy of satellite technology that bridged the transition from the Soviet era to the modern Russian space program.

## Notable For
- **Late-Series Entry:** Launched in 1996, it is one of the final satellites in the Gorizont series, which concluded in 2000.
- **Heavy-Lift Deployment:** Utilized the Proton-K, a carrier rocket with a significant history of 17 recorded sitelinks in related data.
- **Specific Orbital Hardware:** Employed the Blok DM-2 space tug for its mission deployment.
- **International Tracking:** Recognized globally by the COSPAR ID 1996-005A and SCN 23775.

## Body

### Mission and Launch
Gorizont 31 was launched on January 25, 1996. The mission was conducted from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically utilizing Site 200. The launch was facilitated by the Proton-K carrier rocket, a Russian/Soviet vehicle known for its heavy-lift capabilities. To assist in its orbital placement, the mission utilized a Blok DM-2 space tug.

### Classification and Series Context
The satellite is categorized as an instance of the Gorizont class. This series of Russian and Soviet satellites has a long operational history, with the first launches occurring in 1978 and the final launches taking place in 2000. The Gorizont class is a well-documented series in space history, with a sitelink count of 12 in reference databases.

### Technical Identifiers
For tracking and academic purposes, Gorizont 31 is assigned several unique identifiers:
- **SCN:** 23775
- **COSPAR ID:** 1996-005A
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/1pznmkcqh
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "23775"]

The satellite's significant event is recorded as its rocket launch on the specified date and location, marking its transition from a ground-based payload to an orbital asset.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report