# Kosmos 2478

> Russian GLONASS navigation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6433287](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6433287)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_2478)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-2478

## Summary  
Kosmos 2478 is a Russian GLONASS‑M navigation satellite launched on 28 November 2011. It operates under the Russian Space Forces and was placed into orbit by a Soyuz‑2.1b rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome’s Site 43/4.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 28 November 2011 (08:25:58 UTC).  
- **Launch vehicle:** Soyuz‑2.1b rocket.  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 43/4, Russia.  
- **Operator:** Russian Space Forces.  
- **Manufacturer:** JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev.  
- **Satellite class:** GLONASS‑M (a second‑generation GLONASS navigation satellite).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2011‑071A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 37938.  
- **Aliases:** Cosmos 2478.  
- **Related systems:** Part of the GLONASS‑M family, the Russian counterpart to the U.S. GPS constellation.

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Kosmos 2478 launched?  
A: Kosmos 2478 was launched on 28 November 2011 at 08:25:58 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

### Q: What is the purpose of Kosmos 2478?  
A: It serves as a navigation satellite within Russia’s GLONASS system, providing positioning, navigation, and timing services worldwide.

### Q: Which rocket carried Kosmos 2478 into orbit?  
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz‑2.1b launch vehicle.

### Q: Who operates and manufactures Kosmos 2478?  
A: The Russian Space Forces operate the satellite, and it was built by JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev.

### Q: What class of satellite is Kosmos 2478?  
A: It is a GLONASS‑M satellite, the second generation of Russia’s GLONASS navigation spacecraft.

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 2478 is a critical component of the GLONASS navigation constellation, Russia’s global satellite positioning system that rivals the U.S. GPS network. By delivering precise positioning, navigation, and timing data, GLONASS satellites like Kosmos 2478 support a wide range of civilian and military applications—including transportation, telecommunications, surveying, and defense operations. The launch of Kosmos 2478 in 2011 helped maintain the constellation’s orbital coverage and signal redundancy, ensuring uninterrupted service for users worldwide. Its deployment on the modern Soyuz‑2.1b rocket demonstrated Russia’s continued capability to launch sophisticated satellite payloads reliably. As part of the GLONASS‑M series, Kosmos 2478 incorporates improved signal accuracy and longer operational life compared with earlier GLONASS models, contributing to the overall robustness and competitiveness of Russia’s space‑based navigation infrastructure.

## Notable For  
- **GLONASS‑M generation:** Represents the second‑generation upgrade of Russia’s navigation satellites, offering enhanced accuracy.  
- **Launch vehicle:** First GLONASS‑M satellite launched on the Soyuz‑2.1b, showcasing the rocket’s payload capacity.  
- **Manufacturing:** Built by JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev, a leading Russian satellite manufacturer.  
- **Operational role:** Provides essential positioning, navigation, and timing services as part of the global GLONASS network.  
- **International identification:** Assigned COSPAR ID 2011‑071A and Satellite Catalog Number 37938, facilitating global tracking and cataloguing.

## Body  

### Overview  
Kosmos 2478 (also known as Cosmos 2478) is a GLONASS‑M navigation satellite. It is part of the Russian GLONASS constellation, which supplies global positioning data to users on Earth.

### Mission and Role  
- **Primary function:** Deliver precise navigation signals for civilian and military users.  
- **Network contribution:** Maintains orbital slot coverage within the GLONASS constellation, ensuring continuous global service.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class:** GLONASS‑M (second‑generation GLONASS satellite).  
- **Manufacturer:** JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev.  
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2011‑071A; Satellite Catalog Number 37938.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date & time:** 28 Nov 2011, 08:25:58 UTC.  
- **Vehicle:** Soyuz‑2.1b rocket, a modern variant of the Soyuz launch family.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 43/4, Russia.  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch marked the insertion of Kosmos 2478 into its intended medium‑Earth orbit.

### Operator and Management  
- **Operator:** Russian Space Forces, responsible for command, control, and mission oversight.  
- **Operational status:** Integrated into the GLONASS control segment for routine monitoring and signal broadcasting.

### Related Systems  
- **GLONASS‑M family:** Kosmos 2478 belongs to the GLONASS‑M class, which succeeded the original GLONASS‑I series.  
- **Soyuz‑2.1b class:** The launch vehicle is part of the Soyuz‑2 family, widely used for Russian satellite deployments.

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*All information presented is derived from the provided source material and reflects the known attributes of Kosmos 2478.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report