Kosmos 2176

Kosmos 2176
Mission typeEarly warning
COSPAR ID1992-003A
SATCAT no.21847
Mission duration4 years
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeUS-K
Launch mass1,900 kilograms (4,200 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date24 January 1992, 01:18 (1992-01-24UTC01:18Z) UTC
RocketMolniya-M/2BL
Launch sitePlesetsk Cosmodrome
End of mission
Decay date17 January 2012 (2012-01-18)
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMolniya
Perigee altitude632 km (393 mi)
Apogee altitude39,725 km (24,684 mi)
Inclination62.9 degrees
Period717.84 min

Kosmos 2176 (Russian: Космос 2176 meaning Cosmos 2176) was a Russian US-K early warning satellite which was launched in 1992 as part of the Russian Space Forces' Oko programme. The satellite was designed to identify missile launches using optical telescopes and infrared sensors.

Kosmos 2176 was launched from Site 43/3 at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia. A Molniya-M carrier rocket with a 2BL upper stage was used to perform the launch, which took place at 01:18 UTC on 24 January 1992. The launch successfully placed the satellite into a molniya orbit. It subsequently received its Kosmos designation, and the international designator 1992-003A. The United States Space Command assigned it the Satellite Catalog Number 21847.

It re-entered the Earth's atmosphere on January 17, 2012.