# Kosmos 1785

> Russian military early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3399187](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3399187)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_1785)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-1785

## Summary
Kosmos 1785 was a Russian military early warning satellite launched on October 15, 1986. As part of the Soviet US-K program, its primary mission was to detect missile launches. It was deployed into orbit using a Molniya-M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Kosmos 1785 is an instance of the US-K class of satellites, a series used for Soviet and Russian early warning systems.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on October 15, 1986.
- **Launch Time:** The launch took place at 09:29:18.
- **Launch Site:** It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
- **Launch Vehicle:** The satellite was delivered to orbit by a Molniya-M rocket.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international designator is 1986-078A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under SCN 17031.
- **Wolfram Language Entity:** It is represented as `Entity["Satellite", "17031"]`.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Kosmos 1785?
A: Kosmos 1785 was a Russian military early warning satellite. It belonged to the US-K series (Oko), designed to detect ballistic missile launches.

### Q: When was Kosmos 1785 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on October 15, 1986, at 09:29:18 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Kosmos 1785?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Molniya-M rocket, a Soviet space launcher commonly used for military and communication satellites.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 1785 represents a specific unit within the broader Soviet and Russian strategy for aerospace defense and nuclear deterrence. As a component of the US-K (Oko) system, this satellite played a role in the early warning network designed to detect intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches from continental United States territory.

The launch of Kosmos 1785 in 1986 occurred during a period of sustained Soviet military space activity. These satellites were critical for providing the Soviet High Command with timely alert data, a necessary capability for maintaining the balance of power during the Cold War. The use of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and the Molniya-M launch vehicle underscores the logistical and industrial framework supporting the Soviet military space program during this era. While individual satellites like Kosmos 1785 are often obscured by the generic "Kosmos" designation, they served as essential operational nodes in national security infrastructure.

## Notable For
- **US-K Series:** Being a verified unit of the US-K (Oko) class of early warning satellites.
- **Molniya-M Deployment:** Utilizing the reliable Molniya-M carrier rocket, a staple of Soviet space logistics.
- **Plesetsk Launch:** Originating from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a primary launch pad for military satellites.
- **Military Designation:** Functioning as a dedicated military asset for early warning, distinct from civilian or scientific missions.

## Body
### Mission and Classification
Kosmos 1785 was identified as a Russian military early warning satellite. It was classified under the US-K series (also known as Oko), a system developed to detect missile launches using optical telescopes and infrared sensors. The satellite carried the COSPAR ID 1986-078A and was recorded in satellite catalogs with the number 17031.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **October 15, 1986**. The specific time of the launch event was recorded at **09:29:18**. The mission originated from the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41**, a significant spaceport located in northwestern Russia used primarily for military and government launches.

### Launch Vehicle
The delivery system used for Kosmos 1785 was the **Molniya-M**, a four-stage rocket derived from the R-7 Semyorka family. This rocket was a standard vehicle for placing satellites into highly elliptical orbits, which were typical for the US-K early warning constellation to maximize coverage of the northern hemisphere.

### Identifiers and Data
The satellite is cataloged in major knowledge bases with the following specific identifiers:
- **Wikipedia Title:** Kosmos 1785
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0jwvnms
- **Wikidata Description:** Russian military early warning satellite
- **Wikipedia Languages:** Available in English (en), Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report