# Kosmos 959

> Soviet anti-satellite test target satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53646](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53646)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_959)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-959

## Summary
Kosmos 959 was a Soviet anti-satellite test target satellite launched on October 21, 1977, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was part of the Kosmos series of Soviet and Russian military satellites and served as a target for anti-satellite weapon testing. The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket.

## Key Facts
- Launch date: October 21, 1977, at 10:05:00 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket
- Satellite number: 10419
- COSPAR ID: 1977-101A
- Classification: Kosmos series military satellite
- Purpose: Anti-satellite test target
- Wikipedia languages: English, Spanish, Galician, Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian
- Wikipedia title: Kosmos 959
- Wikidata description: Soviet anti-satellite test target satellite

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 959?
A: Kosmos 959 was designed as a target satellite for Soviet anti-satellite weapon testing, serving as a practice target for developing and testing anti-satellite capabilities.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 959 launched?
A: Kosmos 959 was launched on October 21, 1977, at 10:05:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What type of rocket launched Kosmos 959?
A: Kosmos 959 was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Russian launch vehicle that was also used for other Soviet military satellite launches.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 959 represents an important component of the Cold War-era space race and military space development. As a dedicated target satellite for anti-satellite testing, it played a crucial role in the Soviet Union's efforts to develop and validate anti-satellite weapon systems. This testing was part of the broader strategic competition between the Soviet Union and the United States, where both superpowers sought to achieve military dominance in space. The development of anti-satellite capabilities was seen as essential for national security, as it would allow a nation to potentially disable or destroy enemy satellites that could be used for reconnaissance, communication, or navigation. Kosmos 959's contribution to this testing program helped advance Soviet military space technology and understanding of orbital dynamics and satellite vulnerability.

## Notable For
- Served as a dedicated target for anti-satellite weapon testing
- Part of the extensive Kosmos series of Soviet military satellites
- Launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a major Soviet spaceport
- Used the reliable Kosmos-3M rocket for its launch
- Contributed to the development of Soviet anti-satellite capabilities during the Cold War

## Body
### Launch Details
Kosmos 959 was launched on October 21, 1977, at precisely 10:05:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132. The launch was conducted using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a reliable Soviet launch vehicle that was commonly used for military satellite deployments. The specific launch time and site were carefully chosen to meet the mission requirements for the anti-satellite test program.

### Satellite Classification and Purpose
As part of the Kosmos series, Kosmos 959 was classified as a military satellite. The Kosmos designation was used for a wide variety of Soviet satellites, including military reconnaissance, communications, and experimental satellites. In this case, Kosmos 959 was specifically designed as an anti-satellite test target, meaning its primary purpose was to serve as a practice target for developing and testing anti-satellite weapon systems.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite was assigned the number 10419 and received the COSPAR ID 1977-101A, which are standard designations used to identify and catalog space objects. These identifiers allow for precise tracking and documentation of the satellite's orbit and mission parameters. The satellite's exact dimensions, mass, and other technical specifications are not provided in the available source material, but as a target satellite, it would have been designed to be a realistic and challenging target for anti-satellite tests.

### Historical Context
Kosmos 959 was launched during the height of the Cold War, a period of intense rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States. Both superpowers were engaged in a space race, not only for scientific and exploratory achievements but also for military dominance in space. The development of anti-satellite capabilities was a key component of this competition, as both nations recognized the strategic importance of space-based assets and the need to protect or potentially neutralize them.

### Legacy and Impact
While specific details about the tests conducted using Kosmos 959 are not available in the provided source material, the satellite's contribution to the Soviet anti-satellite program would have been significant. By providing a realistic target for testing, Kosmos 959 helped advance the Soviet Union's understanding of anti-satellite weapon effectiveness, orbital dynamics, and satellite vulnerability. This knowledge would have been crucial for the development of operational anti-satellite systems and for shaping Soviet space strategy during the Cold War era.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report