# Cosmos 1023
**Wikidata**: [Q12753063](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753063)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1023

## Summary
Cosmos 1023 was a Soviet communications satellite launched on June 21, 1978. It belonged to the Strela-2M class of spacecraft and was deployed into orbit using a Kosmos-3M rocket. The satellite launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 and is identified by the international designation 1978-063A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 1023 is an instance of the Strela-2M model, a type of Soviet/Russian communications satellite.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on June 21, 1978.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered to orbit by a Kosmos-3M rocket.
- **Launch Site:** The launch took place at Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **COSPAR ID:** The satellite's international designation is 1978-063A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 10961.
- **Launch Time:** The specific launch event occurred at 09:27:00.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as Kosmos 1023.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1023?
A: Cosmos 1023 was a communications satellite of the Strela-2M class, a model used by the Soviet Union and Russia.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 1023 launched?
A: It was launched on June 21, 1978, at 09:27:00, using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.

### Q: What are the identifying codes for Cosmos 1023?
A: The satellite holds the COSPAR ID 1978-063A and the Satellite Catalog Number 10961.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1023 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's extensive space communications infrastructure during the Cold War era. As a unit of the Strela-2M class, it illustrates the operational reliance on standardized satellite models for maintaining communication networks. The mission highlights the utility of the Kosmos-3M launch vehicle, a workhorse rocket used frequently during this period for deploying both military and scientific payloads. By documenting specific launch details—such as the precise time (09:27:00) and location (Site 132)—the entry contributes to the historical record of orbital deployments from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. This data is essential for tracking the proliferation of space objects and understanding the launch cadence of the late 1970s.

## Notable For
- Being a specific unit within the **Strela-2M** class of communications satellites.
- Launching aboard the widely utilized **Kosmos-3M** rocket platform.
- Deployment from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**, a key Soviet launch complex.
- Precise launch timing recorded at **09:27:00** on its launch date.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1023 (also spelled Kosmos 1023) was a spacecraft designated for communications purposes. It operated as part of the Soviet space program under the broad "Cosmos" designation, which was typically used for military and experimental satellites.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite is classified as an **instance of** the **Strela-2M** model. The Strela-2M class is defined in the source material as a model of Soviet/Russian communications satellite.

### Launch Particulars
The satellite was successfully launched on **June 21, 1978**. The mission was executed using a **Kosmos-3M** rocket, a two-stage launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**.
*   **Significant Event:** The launch is classified as a "rocket launch," occurring at a specific point in time of **09:27:00**.

### Identification and Tracking
The spacecraft is cataloged in international and internal databases using the following identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1978-063A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 10961
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "10961"]

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report