# Kosmos 2087

> Russian military early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3398175](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3398175)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_2087)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-2087

## Summary
Kosmos 2087 is a Russian military early warning satellite launched on July 25, 1990. It belongs to the US-K class of satellites, which are designed to detect ballistic missile launches and provide early warning information to military authorities.

## Key Facts
- Kosmos 2087 is a Russian military early warning satellite
- It is classified as a US-K satellite, a series of Soviet and Russian early warning satellites
- It was launched on July 25, 1990, at 18:13:56
- The satellite was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16
- It was deployed using a Molniya-M rocket, a Soviet space launcher
- It has a COSPAR ID of 1990-064A
- Its Spacecraft Catalog Number (SCN) is 20707
- The satellite has documentation across 5 Wikipedia languages (English, Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of Kosmos 2087?
A: Kosmos 2087 is a military early warning satellite designed to detect ballistic missile launches and provide timely warning information to defense authorities, serving as part of Russia's missile detection system.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 2087 launched?
A: It was launched on July 25, 1990, at 18:13:56 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16 aboard a Molniya-M rocket.

### Q: What is the US-K class of satellites?
A: The US-K is a series of Soviet and Russian early warning satellites specifically designed to detect missile launches and provide early warning capabilities for the country's missile defense system.

### Q: What distinguishes Kosmos 2087 from other satellites?
A: Kosmos 2087 is specifically designed for early warning detection purposes, has a specialized launch trajectory from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, and utilizes the Molniya-M rocket which is optimized for its specific orbital requirements.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 2087 represents a critical component of Russia's national security infrastructure by providing early warning of potential missile attacks. As part of the US-K satellite series, it played a vital role in monitoring ballistic missile launches around the world, particularly during the post-Cold War period when such capabilities remained essential. The early warning system that Kosmos 2087 contributed to allows military leadership valuable time to assess threats and potentially respond to missile attacks, forming a cornerstone of strategic deterrence. The technology and capabilities demonstrated by this satellite continue to inform the evolution of space-based early warning systems.

## Notable For
- Being a specialized military early warning satellite designed specifically for detecting ballistic missile launches
- Utilization of the Molniya-M launch vehicle, which was optimized for the specific orbital requirements of early warning satellites
- Launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16, a key facility for Russian military satellite deployments
- Its inclusion in the US-K series, which represents a continuous evolution of Soviet/Russian early warning satellite technology
- Multilingual documentation across 5 Wikipedia languages, indicating its significance in international space history

## Body
### Classification and Identification
Kosmos 2087 is classified as a US-K satellite, which is a series of Soviet and Russian early warning satellites. The satellite has a Spacecraft Catalog Number (SCN) of 20707 and an international identifier with the COSPAR ID of 1990-064A. It is also documented with the Freebase ID /m/0jwv1k6 and is recognized in Wolfram Language as Entity["Satellite", "20707"].

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on July 25, 1990, at precisely 18:13:56 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16. It was deployed using a Molniya-M rocket, a Soviet space launcher specifically designed to place satellites into highly elliptical Molniya orbits, which are particularly suitable for early warning satellites that need to monitor specific regions of the Earth for extended periods.

### Technical Function
As part of the US-K series, Kosmos 2087 was designed with infrared sensors capable of detecting the hot exhaust plumes of missile launches. This capability allows the satellite to provide early warning of potential ballistic missile attacks, giving military authorities valuable time to assess threats and potentially implement defensive measures.

### Documentation and Recognition
The satellite has a documented presence across 5 Wikipedia language editions (English, Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian), indicating its recognition in international space history and its significance as part of the broader Soviet/Russian space program's military capabilities.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report