# Kosmos 2342

> Russian military early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3397964](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3397964)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_2342)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-2342

## Summary  
Kosmos 2342 is a Russian military early warning satellite launched on May 14, 1997, to detect missile launches and provide critical defense alerts. Part of the US-K satellite series, it was deployed via a Molniya-M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: May 14, 1997, at 00:33:57 UTC.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Molniya-M rocket.  
- **Class**: US-K early warning satellite.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1997-022A.  
- **SCN**: 24800.  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.  
- **Mission**: Provided early warning of missile launches for Russian strategic defense.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 2342?  
A: Kosmos 2342 was designed to detect ballistic missile launches and provide early warnings to Russian military command, supporting national defense strategies.  

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 2342 launched?  
A: It launched on May 14, 1997, at 00:33:57 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in Russia.  

### Q: What rocket was used to deploy Kosmos 2342?  
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Molniya-M rocket, a Soviet-era launch vehicle used for military and scientific missions.  

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 2342 played a vital role in Russia’s early warning system, a cornerstone of its nuclear deterrence strategy during the post-Cold War era. As part of the US-K satellite network, it enhanced the country’s ability to detect incoming threats, providing critical time for response. These satellites were essential for maintaining strategic stability, ensuring Russia could monitor potential attacks and avoid false alarms. While later replaced by more advanced systems, Kosmos 2342 exemplified the enduring importance of space-based surveillance in modern defense frameworks.  

## Notable For  
- **US-K Series Membership**: Part of the Soviet-designed US-K early warning constellation, which used infrared sensors to detect missile launches.  
- **Molniya-M Rocket Deployment**: Utilized a legacy Soviet rocket known for high-inclination orbits, reflecting Russia’s reliance on proven technologies.  
- **Plesetsk Launch Site**: Launched from a military-dedicated cosmodrome, underscoring its role in national security operations.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date/Time**: May 14, 1997, at 00:33:57 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4, a facility primarily used for military satellite launches.  
- **Rocket**: Molniya-M (8K78M), a four-stage launch vehicle with a track record dating to the 1960s.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: US-K (also known as Oko), designed for infrared detection of missile plumes.  
- **Identifiers**:  
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1992-022A (international designation).  
  - **SCN**: 24800 (U.S. Space Catalog Number).  

### Mission and Operations  
- **Role**: Monitored global missile activity to provide early warnings of potential attacks.  
- **Orbit**: Likely placed in a highly elliptical Molniya orbit to maximize coverage of the Northern Hemisphere.  
- **Legacy**: Part of a network that included ground-based radar and other satellites, later supplemented by newer US-KS1 and US-KMO systems.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report