# Yantar-2K

> Soviet spy satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q7904579](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7904579)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yantar-2K)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/yantar-2k

## Summary
The Yantar-2K was a Soviet spy satellite designed for optical reconnaissance, part of the larger Yantar series. It featured a reentry capsule to recover high-resolution imagery and operated from 1974 to 1983, with multiple launches under the Cosmos designation.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Reconnaissance satellite, part of the Yantar series
- **Mass**: 6,600 kg at launch
- **Height**: 6.3 meters
- **Aliases**: Feniks, 11F624, Феникс, 11Ф624
- **Operator**: GRU (Soviet military intelligence)
- **Developer**: Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center
- **Manufacturer**: Arsenal Design Bureau
- **Powered by**: Solar arrays and engines (11D430, 11D431, 11D446, 11D428)
- **Service period**: 1974–1983
- **Country of origin**: Soviet Union
- **Followed by**: Yantar-4K1
- **Has part**: Yantar-2K descent capsule

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Yantar-2K used for?
A: The Yantar-2K was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite designed to collect high-resolution optical imagery for military intelligence purposes. It used a reentry capsule to recover the film, which was then analyzed for strategic information.

### Q: How many Yantar-2K satellites were launched?
A: At least 20 satellites were launched under the Cosmos designation, including Cosmos 697, Cosmos 758, and others, though the exact number may vary based on classification.

### Q: What distinguished the Yantar-2K from other spy satellites?
A: The Yantar-2K was notable for its reentry capsule, allowing it to return film for analysis, and its role in the Yantar series, which was one of the most advanced Soviet reconnaissance satellite programs of its time.

### Q: Who operated the Yantar-2K?
A: The Yantar-2K was operated by the GRU, the Soviet military intelligence agency, as part of its space-based reconnaissance efforts.

### Q: When was the Yantar-2K retired?
A: The Yantar-2K was retired in 1983, after nearly a decade of service, as the Soviet Union shifted focus to newer satellite systems.

## Why It Matters
The Yantar-2K played a critical role in Soviet military intelligence by providing high-resolution optical imagery for strategic decision-making. Its reentry capsule allowed for the recovery of film, enabling detailed analysis of targets. The satellite was part of a broader effort to maintain the Soviet Union’s technological edge in space-based reconnaissance during the Cold War. Its retirement marked the end of an era for this specific satellite model, though the Yantar series continued with later iterations like the Yantar-4K1.

## Notable For
- **Reentry capsule**: First use of a returnable film capsule in the Yantar series, enabling high-resolution imagery recovery.
- **Cold War reconnaissance**: Contributed to Soviet military intelligence by providing detailed optical imagery.
- **Cosmos launches**: Multiple launches under the Cosmos designation, including notable missions like Cosmos 697 and Cosmos 758.
- **Technological advancement**: Demonstrated Soviet capabilities in space-based reconnaissance and film recovery.
- **Precursor to Yantar-4K1**: Paved the way for the next generation of Soviet reconnaissance satellites.

## Body
### Overview
The Yantar-2K was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite developed as part of the Yantar series, designed to collect high-resolution optical imagery for military intelligence. It featured a reentry capsule to return film for analysis, distinguishing it from earlier models that relied on direct transmission.

### Design and Specifications
- **Mass**: 6,600 kg at launch, including the reentry capsule.
- **Height**: 6.3 meters.
- **Power**: Equipped with solar arrays and multiple engines (11D430, 11D431, 11D446, 11D428) for maneuvering and power generation.
- **Reentry capsule**: The Yantar-2K descent capsule was a key component, allowing the satellite to return film for analysis.

### Operational History
- **First launch**: December 13, 1974 (Cosmos 697).
- **Last launch**: 1983 (Cosmos 1471).
- **Notable missions**: Included Cosmos 697, Cosmos 758, and others, contributing to Soviet military intelligence.
- **Retirement**: The Yantar-2K was retired in 1983, succeeded by the Yantar-4K1.

### Significance
The Yantar-2K was part of the Soviet Union’s broader space-based reconnaissance efforts during the Cold War. Its reentry capsule technology was a significant advancement, enabling the recovery of high-resolution film for detailed analysis. The satellite’s operational period spanned from 1974 to 1983, with multiple launches under the Cosmos designation.

### Legacy
The Yantar-2K’s design influenced later Soviet reconnaissance satellites and demonstrated the country’s technological capabilities in space-based intelligence gathering. Its retirement marked the end of an era for this specific model, though the Yantar series continued with subsequent iterations.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/yantar-2k.htm)
2. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/y/yantar-2k.html)