# Kosmos 2196

> Russian military early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3397938](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3397938)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_2196)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-2196

## Summary
Kosmos 2196 is a Russian military early warning satellite launched on July 8, 1992. It was part of the Soviet and later Russian US-K satellite program designed to detect missile launches using infrared sensors. The satellite was deployed into orbit by a Molniya-M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- Launched on **July 8, 1992**, at **09:53:14 UTC**
- Part of the **US-K class** of early warning satellites
- Launched from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43**
- Used the **Molniya-M** launch vehicle
- COSPAR ID: **1992-040A**
- Wikidata SCN: **22017**
- Instance of: **US-K satellite class**
- Also known as: **Kosmos 2196**

## FAQs
### Q: What is Kosmos 2196?
A: Kosmos 2196 is a Russian military early warning satellite launched in 1992. It was built to detect ballistic missile launches via infrared imaging, supporting Russia's strategic defense systems.

### Q: When was Kosmos 2196 launched?
A: Kosmos 2196 was launched on **July 8, 1992**, at **09:53:14 UTC** from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

### Q: What kind of satellite is Kosmos 2196?
A: Kosmos 2196 belongs to the **US-K class**, a series of Soviet and Russian early warning satellites used for detecting missile launches and nuclear threats.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 2196 represents a key component of Russia’s strategic nuclear defense infrastructure during the post-Soviet era. As part of the US-K program, it contributed to maintaining early detection capabilities essential for national security. These satellites played a critical role in Cold War-era deterrence strategies and continued to support Russia’s space-based surveillance systems after the dissolution of the USSR. Its successful deployment demonstrated ongoing advancements in space-based early warning technology and operational continuity in military space programs.

## Notable For
- Being part of the long-standing **US-K satellite program**, which formed the backbone of Soviet/Russian missile warning systems
- Launching aboard the reliable **Molniya-M rocket**, a workhorse of the Soviet space program
- Supporting **strategic nuclear deterrence** through space-based infrared sensing
- Maintaining **operational readiness** in the early 1990s amid geopolitical transition
- Having international catalog designation **COSPAR ID 1992-040A**, identifying it globally in orbital databases

## Body
### Mission Overview
Kosmos 2196 was developed as part of the Soviet Union’s US-K early warning satellite system. Designed to monitor Earth for signs of ballistic missile launches, these satellites were equipped with infrared telescopes capable of detecting heat signatures from rocket plumes.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **July 8, 1992**, at **09:53:14 UTC**. The launch occurred from **Launch Site 43** at the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, located in northwestern Russia. This facility has been one of Russia’s primary military spaceports since the 1960s.

### Launch Vehicle
It was carried into orbit by a **Molniya-M** rocket, a variant of the Molniya family specifically adapted for launching payloads into highly elliptical orbits such as those required by early warning satellites. The Molniya-M had over 40 years of service history and was known for its reliability in placing heavy military satellites into operational trajectories.

### Satellite Classification and Designation
Kosmos 2196 is classified under the **US-K series**, also referred to as **Oko-class** satellites. These spacecraft typically operated in Molniya-type orbits, allowing them to observe large portions of the Northern Hemisphere continuously. The satellite is registered in global orbital catalogs under **COSPAR ID 1992-040A** and identified internally within Russian systems as **SCN 22017**.

### Operational Role
As an early warning satellite, Kosmos 2196 supported Russia’s nuclear command and control infrastructure by providing timely alerts of potential intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches. This capability remains vital for strategic stability and national defense planning.

### Legacy
Though exact deactivation dates are not publicly disclosed, Kosmos 2196 exemplifies the technological continuity between Soviet-era space assets and modern Russian military space operations. It reflects the evolution of space-based surveillance systems that continue to shape global strategic balance today.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report