# Kosmos 801

> soviet Union satellite (1976–1978)

**Wikidata**: [Q53627](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53627)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_801)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-801

## Summary
Kosmos 801 was a Soviet radar calibration satellite launched on February 5, 1976. Manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, it belonged to the DS-P1-I model class and operated under the standardized Kosmos designation used for Soviet military and scientific satellites.

## Key Facts
- **COSPAR ID:** 1976-012A
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 08658
- **Launch Date:** February 5, 1976
- **Launch Time:** 14:30:03 UTC
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-2I
- **Manufacturer:** Pivdenne Design Office
- **Class/Model:** DS-P1-I
- **Function:** Radar calibration
- **Mission Duration:** 1976–1978

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Kosmos 801?
A: Kosmos 801 was a DS-P1-I class satellite, a model specifically designed by the Soviet Union for radar calibration purposes.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 801 launched?
A: It was launched on February 5, 1976, at 14:30:03 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133.

### Q: Who manufactured Kosmos 801?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 801 represents a specific tier of Soviet space infrastructure dedicated to military and technical support rather than exploration or communications. As a DS-P1-I satellite, its primary role was radar calibration, a critical function for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of Soviet radar systems during the Cold War. These satellites allowed ground-based radar operators to verify detection capabilities and calibrate tracking systems against a known target in orbit.

The satellite's launch aboard the Kosmos-2I rocket highlights the Soviet reliance on standardized launch vehicles for deploying bulk military payloads. The use of the "Kosmos" designation itself is historically significant; it was a moniker used to obscure the nature of Soviet defense missions, grouping thousands of military satellites under a generic scientific-sounding name. Operating for approximately two years (1976–1978), Kosmos 801 contributed to the maintenance of the Soviet Union's early warning and tracking networks.

## Notable For
- Being part of the **DS-P1-I** series, a specific class of Soviet radar calibration satellites.
- Launching from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133**, a primary launch pad for Kosmos rockets.
- Being manufactured by **Pivdenne Design Office**, a major Ukrainian-Soviet aerospace bureau.
- Having a precise recorded launch time of **14:30:03 UTC**.
- Operating under the **Kosmos cover designation**, standard for Soviet military satellites of the era.

## Body

### Identification and Classification
Kosmos 801 was identified internationally by the COSPAR ID **1976-012A** and the Satellite Catalog Number **08658**. It was an instance of the **DS-P1-I** model, a class of satellites developed to serve as calibration targets for radar systems. The "DS" prefix refers to the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik series, indicating its origins within the Soviet heavy industry complex.

### Mission Specifications
The satellite was designed and built by the **Pivdenne Design Office** (also known as the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau). It was launched on **February 5, 1976**, utilizing the **Kosmos-2I** carrier rocket, a vehicle derived from the R-12 ballistic missile which was frequently used for light-weight satellite deployments.

### Launch Operations
The launch took place at the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, specifically from **Site 133**. The launch window was executed with high precision at **14:30:03 UTC**. The successful deployment added to the extensive network of Kosmos satellites, with data regarding its orbit and identification recorded in major space databases including those referenced by Wikidata and Wolfram Language (Entity["Satellite", "08658"]).

### Operational Context
While detailed telemetry is not provided in the source material, the satellite is described as a "Soviet Union satellite" active during the period **1976–1978**. Its primary mission profile was radar calibration, supporting the broader Soviet defense infrastructure.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013