# Kosmos 1729

> Russian military early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3398361](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3398361)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_1729)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-1729

## Summary
Kosmos 1729 is a Russian military early warning satellite launched in 1986 as part of the US-K series. It was designed to detect missile launches and provide strategic defense capabilities for the Soviet Union (later Russia). The satellite was launched aboard a Molniya-M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** February 1, 1986 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1986-011A ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200386))  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Molniya-M rocket ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Satellite Class:** US-K (Soviet/Russian early warning satellite series) ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Spacecraft Catalog Number (SCN):** 16527 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328))  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch at 18:11:56 UTC on February 1, 1986 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 1729?  
A: Kosmos 1729 was a military early warning satellite designed to detect ballistic missile launches, providing strategic defense capabilities for the Soviet Union (later Russia).  

### Q: What rocket launched Kosmos 1729?  
A: It was launched aboard a Molniya-M rocket, a Soviet space launcher used for military and communications satellites.  

### Q: Where was Kosmos 1729 launched from?  
A: The satellite was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16, a major Russian spaceport used for military and polar-orbiting missions.  

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 1729 played a critical role in the Soviet Union's early warning system, contributing to nuclear deterrence during the Cold War. As part of the US-K series, it helped monitor potential missile threats from adversaries, ensuring rapid response capabilities. Early warning satellites like Kosmos 1729 were essential for maintaining strategic stability, reducing the risk of accidental nuclear conflict by providing real-time detection of launches. Its deployment reflected the technological and military competition between superpowers, underscoring the importance of space-based surveillance in global security.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Role:** Part of Russia’s early warning satellite network, crucial for missile defense.  
- **Cold War Significance:** Operated during heightened Cold War tensions, contributing to nuclear deterrence.  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Used the Molniya-M rocket, a workhorse of Soviet military and communications launches.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date:** February 1, 1986  
- **Time:** 18:11:56 UTC  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Satellite Class:** US-K (early warning system)  
- **Catalog Number:** 16527  
- **COSPAR Designation:** 1986-011A  

### Mission Context  
- Part of a broader Soviet/Russian effort to maintain space-based missile detection capabilities.  
- Followed earlier US-K satellites and preceded subsequent upgrades in early warning technology.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report