# ISKRA 2
**Wikidata**: [Q16087301](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16087301)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iskra-2-q16087301

## Summary
ISKRA 2 is an amateur radio satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1982. It was designed to transmit amateur radio signals and was placed into orbit using a Proton-K carrier rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Amateur radio satellite
- **Launch Date:** April 19, 1982
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K (Soviet/Russian carrier rocket)
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 13176
- **COSPAR ID:** 1982-033C
- **Instance Of:** Amateur radio satellite
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "13176"]

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of ISKRA 2?
A: ISKRA 2 was designed as an amateur radio satellite. Its primary function was to transmit amateur radio signals for use by non-commercial radio operators.

### Q: When and where was ISKRA 2 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on April 19, 1982. The launch took place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.

### Q: What rocket was used to carry ISKRA 2 into space?
A: ISKRA 2 was launched using a Proton-K carrier rocket. This vehicle is a heavy-lift rocket originally developed by the Soviet Union and later used by Russia.

### Q: How is ISKRA 2 identified in satellite catalogs?
A: It is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 13176 and the international COSPAR ID 1982-033C.

## Why It Matters
ISKRA 2 represents a specific era of the Soviet space program focused on the deployment of amateur radio technology. Launched in April 1982, it served as a dedicated platform for transmitting amateur radio signals, providing a means for hobbyists and researchers to engage with orbital hardware. Its deployment via the Proton-K rocket—a central vehicle in Soviet and Russian space history—highlights the integration of amateur payloads into major launch manifests at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

By maintaining a presence in international registries under SCN 13176 and COSPAR ID 1982-033C, ISKRA 2 remains a permanent part of the historical record of orbital assets. Its existence underscores the Soviet Union's participation in the global amateur radio satellite community during the early 1980s. For historians of space technology, ISKRA 2 serves as a data point for the diverse range of payloads supported by the Proton-K launch system and the evolution of small-scale communication satellites during the late 20th century.

## Notable For
- **Launch Vehicle:** Utilized the Proton-K, a significant heavy-lift carrier rocket in Soviet space history.
- **Mission Type:** Dedicated specifically to the transmission of amateur radio signals.
- **Historical Context:** Launched from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 during the early 1980s.
- **Technical Tracking:** Formally cataloged with the unique Satellite Catalog Number 13176.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
ISKRA 2 is classified as an amateur radio satellite. This type of spacecraft is specifically designed to transmit amateur radio frequencies, allowing ground-based operators to conduct communication experiments and exchange signals via an orbital platform. 

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on April 19, 1982. The mission originated from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200, a major spaceport used by the Soviet Union. The delivery to orbit was performed by a Proton-K carrier rocket, which is a Russian (formerly Soviet) heavy-lift vehicle.

### Technical Identification
ISKRA 2 is tracked and identified through several international and technical systems:
*   **SCN:** 13176
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1982-033C
*   **Google Knowledge Graph:** /g/1q2xhkwqg
*   **Wolfram Language:** Entity["Satellite", "13176"]

### Historical Significance
As an "instance of" an amateur radio satellite, ISKRA 2 contributed to the early 1980s expansion of non-commercial orbital communications. Its launch was a significant event for the amateur radio community and is recorded as a successful deployment of the Proton-K rocket system.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report