# Kosmos 1076
**Wikidata**: [Q3399317](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3399317)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-1076

## Summary  
Kosmos 1076 was a Soviet‑built Earth observation satellite launched on 12 February 1979 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Tsyklon‑3 launch vehicle. It remained in orbit for more than 22 years before re‑entering Earth’s atmosphere on 10 August 2001.

## Key Facts  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1979‑011A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 11266.  
- **Mission type:** Earth observation satellite.  
- **Launch date and time:** 12 February 1979 at 13:00 UTC.  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 32, Russia.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Tsyklon‑3 expendable rocket.  
- **Operational lifespan:** 1979 – 2001 (≈22 years).  
- **Atmospheric re‑entry (orbit decay):** 10 August 2001.  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1076.  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Macedonian, Russian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian.

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Kosmos 1076 launched?  
**A:** Kosmos 1076 was launched on 12 February 1979 at 13:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.  

### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 1076?  
**A:** It was an Earth observation satellite designed to collect imagery and data of the planet’s surface from orbit.  

### Q: When did Kosmos 1076 re‑enter Earth’s atmosphere?  
**A:** The satellite’s orbit decayed and it re‑entered on 10 August 2001.  

### Q: Which launch vehicle placed Kosmos 1076 into orbit?  
**A:** The Soviet‑Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle Tsyklon‑3 carried Kosmos 1076 aloft.  

### Q: What is the satellite’s catalog identifier?  
**A:** Its International Designator (COSPAR ID) is 1979‑011A and its Satellite Catalog Number is 11266.  

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 1076 represents a component of the Soviet Union’s extensive Earth‑observation program during the Cold War era. By providing sustained remote‑sensing capabilities for over two decades, the satellite contributed to the collection of valuable geospatial data that supported scientific research, environmental monitoring, and cartographic efforts. Its long orbital life—spanning from the late 1970s through the early 2000s—demonstrates the durability of the Tsyklon‑3 launch system and the robustness of the satellite’s design. The eventual atmospheric re‑entry in 2001 marked the end of a mission that helped lay groundwork for modern Earth‑observation constellations, illustrating the evolution of space‑based monitoring technologies and their importance for understanding planetary processes.

## Notable For  
- **Extended service life:** Remained operational for more than 22 years before decay.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Utilized the reliable Tsyklon‑3 rocket, a workhorse of Soviet space launches.  
- **Part of the Kosmos series:** Contributed to a large family of Soviet satellites covering diverse scientific and military roles.  
- **Earth observation focus:** Dedicated to imaging and monitoring Earth’s surface, a key function for environmental and strategic applications.  
- **Clear mission timeline:** Precise launch (12 Feb 1979) and decay (10 Aug 2001) dates documented, enabling accurate historical tracking.

## Body  

### Mission Overview  
- Classified as an **Earth observation satellite**.  
- Designed to capture imagery and gather data on terrestrial phenomena.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 12 February 1979, 13:00 UTC.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 32, Russia.  
- **Vehicle:** Tsyklon‑3, an expendable launch system used extensively by the Soviet space program.  

### Orbital Characteristics & Decay  
- Entered a low‑Earth orbit suitable for imaging missions.  
- Maintained functional status for over two decades.  
- **Orbit decay:** Atmospheric entry recorded on 10 August 2001, ending the mission.  

### Technical Identifiers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1979‑011A (International Designator).  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 11266 (used by tracking agencies).  
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "11266"]`.  

### Context within the Kosmos Program  
- Part of the broader **Kosmos** series, which encompassed a wide range of scientific, reconnaissance, and communications satellites.  
- Contributed to the Soviet Union’s capability to monitor Earth’s surface from space, complementing other remote‑sensing assets.  

### Legacy  
- Demonstrated the longevity achievable with Soviet satellite engineering and launch technology.  
- Provided a data record spanning the transition from the Cold War to the early 21st century, informing subsequent Earth‑observation missions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report