# Prognoz 4

> The spacecraft was a contribution to the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) program

**Wikidata**: [Q111854567](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111854567)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/prognoz-4

## Summary
Prognoz 4 was a Soviet scientific research satellite launched on December 22, 1975. As part of the Prognoz series, its specific mission was to serve as a contribution to the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) program. The spacecraft was deployed using a Molniya-M rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** December 22, 1975
- **Mission Role:** Contribution to the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) program
- **Classification:** Instance of the Prognoz series of satellites
- **Origin:** Soviet Union
- **Launch Vehicle:** Molniya-M
- **COSPAR ID:** 1975-122A
- **NSSDC ID:** 1975-122A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 08510

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of the Prognoz 4 mission?
A: The primary purpose of Prognoz 4 was to act as a contribution to the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) program, conducting scientific research related to the magnetosphere.

### Q: When was Prognoz 4 launched?
A: Prognoz 4 was successfully launched on December 22, 1975.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Prognoz 4?
A: The satellite was launched using a Molniya-M rocket, a Soviet space launcher commonly used for this class of satellite.

## Why It Matters
Prognoz 4 represents a specific phase of Soviet space science dedicated to understanding the Earth's magnetosphere through international cooperation. By contributing to the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) program, this spacecraft played a role in a coordinated global effort to collect data on the magnetic environment surrounding Earth. This mission highlights the utilization of the Prognoz satellite series for specialized scientific inquiry rather than commercial or military communications.

Launched in the mid-1970s, Prognoz 4 exemplifies the technological capabilities of the era, specifically the use of the reliable Molniya-M launch vehicle to place scientific payloads into orbit. The data gathered by satellites in this series helped advance the field of space physics, providing researchers with critical measurements identified by its specific COSPAR and NSSDC IDs (1975-122A). As a Soviet-built research satellite, it stands as a historical data point in the legacy of the Prognoz class.

## Notable For
- Being a dedicated contributor to the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) program.
- Belonging to the Prognoz series, a class of Soviet scientific research satellites.
- Utilizing the Molniya-M launch vehicle for deployment.
- Serving as a distinct tracked object with the Satellite Catalog Number 08510.

## Body

### Mission Context
Prognoz 4 was a spacecraft designed for scientific research, explicitly functioning as a contribution to the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) program. The IMS was a collaborative international effort to study the Earth's magnetosphere, and Prognoz 4 provided Soviet technological support to this initiative.

### Classification and Origin
The spacecraft is classified as an instance of the **Prognoz** series. This series consists of Soviet scientific research satellites. The country of origin is identified as the Soviet Union (and retroactively Russia in some database contexts).

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on **December 22, 1975**. The launch was executed using a **Molniya-M** rocket, a Soviet space launcher. The Molniya-M was a standard vehicle for placing scientific and communication satellites into specific high-elliptical orbits.

### Identifiers and Tracking
To facilitate tracking and data management, Prognoz 4 is assigned several standard identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1975-122A
*   **NSSDC ID:** 1975-122A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 08510

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report