# Kosmos 2224

> Russian military early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3398004](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3398004)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_2224)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-2224

## Summary
Kosmos 2224 is a Russian military early warning satellite designated as part of the US-KMO class of satellites. Launched on December 17, 1992, aboard a Proton-K rocket, it was operated by the Russian Space Forces to support missile detection capabilities. The satellite was manufactured by NPO Lavochkin and assigned the international designator 1992-088A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** It is an instance of the US-KMO class, a system of Soviet and Russian early warning satellites.
- **Launch Date:** December 17, 1992, at 12:45:00 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K carrier rocket supplemented by a Blok DM-2 space tug.
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.
- **Operator:** Russian Space Forces.
- **Manufacturer:** NPO Lavochkin.
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 1992-088A; Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 22269.
- **Alternate Names:** Also known simply as Kosmos 2224.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is Kosmos 2224?
A: Kosmos 2224 is a Russian military early warning satellite. It belongs to the US-KMO class of spacecraft designed to detect missile launches.

### Q: When and how was Kosmos 2224 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on December 17, 1992, using a Proton-K rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200. The launch sequence included a Blok DM-2 upper stage.

### Q: Who manufactured and operated Kosmos 2224?
A: The satellite was manufactured by NPO Lavochkin and was operated by the Russian Space Forces.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 2224 represents a critical component of the Russian Space Forces' infrastructure during the post-Soviet era. As a unit of the US-KMO class (often associated with the "Prognoz" or "Oko-1" systems), this satellite played a role in the broader network designed to provide early warning of ballistic missile attacks. The deployment of such satellites is vital for national security, offering the ability to track potential threats from space, which serves as a cornerstone of strategic defense and deterrence policies.

The launch of Kosmos 2224 in late 1992 is particularly significant as it occurred immediately following the dissolution of the Soviet Union (December 1991), illustrating the continuity of military space operations during a period of massive geopolitical transition. The use of the heavy-lift Proton-K rocket and the Blok DM-2 tug highlights the technical complexity and payload requirements necessary for this class of geostationary or high-elliptical early warning systems. By maintaining these capabilities, the Russian Space Forces ensured that early warning surveillance remained operational despite the restructuring of the former Soviet military apparatus.

## Notable For
- Being a confirmed unit of the **US-KMO** class of early warning satellites.
- Launching in **1992**, marking an early post-Soviet era mission for the Russian Space Forces.
- Utilizing the **Proton-K** launch vehicle in conjunction with a **Blok DM-2** space tug.
- Being manufactured by **NPO Lavochkin**, a major player in Russian aerospace development.
- Operating out of **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200**, a key launch infrastructure location.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
Kosmos 2224 is formally classified as an early warning satellite with a military designation. It falls under the **US-KMO** class of satellites, a system developed by the Soviet Union and subsequently utilized by Russia. These satellites are designed to detect the launch of ballistic missiles using infrared sensors. The operator listed for the mission is the **Russian Space Forces**.

### Launch and Orbital Insertion
The satellite was successfully launched on **December 17, 1992**. The specific time of the rocket launch event was recorded at **12:45:00**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The mission utilized a **Proton-K** carrier rocket. This rocket is a Russian (previously Soviet) heavy-lift launch vehicle known for its reliability in placing heavy payloads into orbit.
*   **Upper Stage:** To achieve the necessary orbit for the US-KMO mission profile, the launch employed a **Blok DM-2** space tug.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200**, a major spaceport located in Kazakhstan.

### Technical Identifiers
The satellite is tracked and identified by several international and internal registries:
*   **COSPAR International Designator:** 1992-088A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 22269
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/0j9q34z
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "22269"]

### Development
The prime manufacturer for Kosmos 2224 was **NPO Lavochkin**. This organization is a prominent Russian aerospace company known for its contributions to planetary probes and military satellites. The satellite's Wikipedia presence spans five languages (English, Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian), reflecting its recognition in global space documentation.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report