COSMOS 1863, also known as Kosmos-1863, is a reconnaissance satellite launched on July 4, 1987, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle. It uses the Oblik bus configuration and has a Zenit bus design. The spacecraft measures 6 meters in length with a diameter of 2.2 meters and spans 6 meters. It has a dry mass of 2655 kg and was launched at the same mass. The satellite's mission involves reconnaissance, specifically photographic film return type missions. It is powered by batteries and features motors including 11D82M and S5.120 for maneuvering. The shape of COSMOS 1863 is a combination of sphere and DCone with an RCS (reaction control system) of 23.42. Manufactured by TSSKB, the satellite carries Oblik No. 359 as its payload.