# Kosmos 1793

> Russian military early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3398335](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3398335)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_1793)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-1793

## Summary
Kosmos 1793 is a Russian military early warning satellite launched in 1986. It belongs to the US-K series of Soviet and Russian satellites designed for missile detection and space surveillance.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: November 20, 1986 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1986-091A ([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 series ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number)**: 17134 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328))  
- **Function**: Early warning for missile detection ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 1793?  
A: Kosmos 1793 was designed as part of Russia's early warning system to detect missile launches and provide strategic defense surveillance.

### Q: What rocket launched Kosmos 1793?  
A: It was launched aboard a Molniya-M rocket, a Soviet space launcher commonly used for military and scientific missions.

### Q: Where was Kosmos 1793 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16, a key Russian spaceport for military and polar-orbiting satellites.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 1793 played a critical role in Russia's Cold War-era missile defense strategy, contributing to the US-K satellite network designed to monitor potential nuclear threats. Early warning satellites like Kosmos 1793 provided crucial reaction time for military decision-makers, enhancing national security during heightened geopolitical tensions. Its launch underscored the technological competition between superpowers in space-based surveillance.

## Notable For
- **Military Significance**: Part of Russia's strategic early warning system during the Cold War.  
- **Launch Precision**: Deployed via the reliable Molniya-M rocket, known for its role in Soviet military missions.  
- **Legacy**: Contributed to the US-K satellite series, which remains foundational in Russian space defense infrastructure.  

## Body
### Launch Details  
- **Exact Launch Time**: November 20, 1986, at 12:09:20 UTC ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367)).  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16, a primary facility for Soviet/Russian military launches.  

### Technical Classification  
- **Satellite Series**: US-K, a class of early warning satellites operated by Russia/Soviet Union.  
- **Catalog Identifier**: Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 17134, assigned by NORAD.  

### Mission Context  
- **Role**: Detected ballistic missile launches using infrared sensors.  
- **Historical Period**: Active during the late Cold War, a peak era for space-based military surveillance.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report