# Kosmos 818

> Soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53630](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53630)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_818)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-818

## Summary
Kosmos 818 is a Soviet satellite launched on May 18, 1976, as part of the DS-P1-Yu class of spacecraft. It was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office and deployed into orbit using a Kosmos-2I carrier rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. This satellite serves as a specific instance within the broader Soviet space program, identified by the catalog number 08851 and the COSPAR ID 1976-044A.

## Key Facts
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on May 18, 1976, at exactly 10:59:57 UTC.
*   **Launch Site:** Liftoff occurred from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133 in the Soviet Union.
*   **Manufacturer:** The spacecraft was designed and built by the Pivdenne Design Office, a Ukrainian organization established in 1951.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was carried into space by the Kosmos-2I rocket, a carrier rocket superseded in the Soviet inventory.
*   **Classification:** Kosmos 818 belongs to the DS-P1-Yu satellite class.
*   **Identifiers:** The satellite is cataloged as 08851 (SCN) and carries the COSPAR ID 1976-044A.
*   **Aliases:** It is also known by the designation DS-P1-Yu No.78.
*   **Digital Footprint:** The entity has Wikipedia articles in seven languages: English, Spanish, Galician, Macedonian, Portuguese, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian.
*   **External IDs:** It is indexed in Freebase as `/m/07k7hfp` and in Wolfram Language as `Entity["Satellite", "08851"]`.
*   **Organizational Context:** The manufacturer, Pivdenne Design Office, employs approximately 5,500 people and operates within the rocket and satellite design industry.

## FAQs
**What was the specific launch configuration for Kosmos 818?**
The satellite was launched on May 18, 1976, at 10:59:57 UTC using a Kosmos-2I rocket. The mission originated from Site 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a key facility for Soviet space operations.

**Which organization was responsible for building this satellite?**
Pivdenne Design Office, a major Ukrainian rocket and satellite designer founded in 1951, manufactured the spacecraft. This organization, headquartered in Dnipro, employs around 5,500 staff and specializes in aerospace engineering.

**How is Kosmos 818 classified within the Soviet space program?**
It is categorized as a DS-P1-Yu class satellite, a specific type of Soviet spacecraft. This class is distinct from other Soviet satellite types and was part of a series of missions launched during the 1970s.

**What digital identifiers are associated with this satellite?**
Kosmos 818 is tracked under the Space Catalog Number (SCN) 08851 and the COSPAR ID 1976-044A. It also possesses a unique Freebase ID and a Wolfram Language entity code for computational referencing.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 818 represents a critical component of the Soviet Union's extensive satellite network during the Cold War era, specifically within the DS-P1-Yu program. These satellites were primarily used for radar calibration and target practice for anti-ballistic missile systems, playing a vital role in the development and testing of Soviet defense technologies. The successful deployment of Kosmos 818 by the Pivdenne Design Office highlights the industrial capacity of the Ukrainian SSR in aerospace manufacturing. Its existence provides modern researchers with data points regarding the operational history of the Kosmos-2I launch vehicle and the logistical capabilities of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Understanding this satellite helps contextualize the technological advancements and strategic priorities of the Soviet space program in the mid-1970s.

## Notable For
*   **Specific Launch Precision:** The mission is recorded with a precise launch time of 10:59:57, demonstrating the high level of coordination required for Soviet orbital insertions.
*   **Manufacturer Legacy:** It stands as a product of the Pivdenne Design Office, one of the largest and most influential aerospace design bureaus in the former Soviet Union.
*   **Launch Vehicle History:** The mission utilized the Kosmos-2I, a rocket that has since been superseded, marking it as a historical data point for retired Soviet launch systems.
*   **Multi-Language Documentation:** The satellite is documented across seven distinct Wikipedia language editions, indicating its recognition in diverse global knowledge bases.
*   **Dual Identification:** It is uniquely identified by both the Space Catalog Number 08851 and the COSPAR ID 1976-044A, linking it to international tracking standards.

## Body

### Mission Overview and Launch Details
Kosmos 818 was a Soviet satellite launched on May 18, 1976. The launch event is recorded as a significant rocket launch occurring at 10:59:57 UTC. The spacecraft lifted off from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133, a facility dedicated to military and scientific launches. The mission utilized the Kosmos-2I carrier rocket, a vehicle that was later superseded in the Soviet inventory. This specific launch is cataloged under the COSPAR ID 1976-044A, linking it to international space object registries.

### Satellite Classification and Identity
The spacecraft is classified as a member of the DS-P1-Yu class, a series of Soviet satellites designed for specific radar and calibration purposes. Within the Space Catalog, it is assigned the value 08851. An alternative designation for this satellite is DS-P1-Yu No.78, reflecting its sequence within the production line. In digital knowledge graphs, it is represented by the Freebase ID `/m/07k7hfp` and the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "08851"]`. These identifiers ensure the satellite can be uniquely referenced across different computational and archival systems.

### Manufacturing and Organizational Context
The satellite was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, a prominent Ukrainian organization specializing in rocket and satellite design. This entity was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Dnipro (formerly Dnipropetrovsk). The design office employs approximately 5,500 people and operates within the aerospace industry, focusing on rocket and satellite engineering. The Pivdenne Design Office is a key player in the history of Soviet and post-Soviet space technology, responsible for numerous successful missions including Kosmos 818.

### Digital Presence and Documentation
Information regarding Kosmos 818 is available in seven languages on Wikipedia: English, Spanish, Galician, Macedonian, Portuguese, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian. This multilingual presence underscores the satellite's relevance to the global historical record of space exploration. The entity has a total sitelink count of 7, indicating its interconnectedness with other related topics in knowledge bases. The primary Wikipedia title for the entity is "Kosmos 818," serving as the central hub for public information.

### Technical Specifications and Relationships
The relationship between Kosmos 818 and its launch vehicle, the Kosmos-2I, is well-documented, with the rocket serving as the primary delivery system. The satellite's connection to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome is specific to Site 133, highlighting the precise infrastructure used for its deployment. The manufacturer, Pivdenne Design Office, maintains a strong link to the satellite as its creator, with the organization's inception in 1951 predating the launch by 25 years. The satellite's classification as a DS-P1-Yu unit places it within a specific lineage of Soviet space hardware, distinct from other satellite classes of the era.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report