# Cosmos 1038
**Wikidata**: [Q12907268](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907268)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1038

## Summary  
Cosmos 1038 (also known as Kosmos 1038) is a Soviet‑era Strela‑1M communications satellite that was launched on 4 October 1978 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle.

## Key Facts  
- **Satellite type:** Strela‑1M (instance of Strela‑1M)【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1978‑091E【source】  
- **Space Catalog Number (SCN):** 11047【source】  
- **Launch date:** 4 October 1978【source】  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M rocket (Soviet Union)【source】  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch at 03:49 UTC on the launch day【source】  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1038【source】  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Cosmos 1038?  
A: Cosmos 1038 is a Strela‑1M class satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1978 for communications purposes.  

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1038 launched?  
A: It was launched on 4 October 1978 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132, at 03:49 UTC.  

### Q: Which rocket carried Cosmos 1038 into orbit?  
A: The satellite was placed into orbit by a Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle, a work‑horse Soviet rocket.  

### Q: What are the official identifiers for Cosmos 1038?  
A: Its COSPAR ID is 1978‑091E and its Space Catalog Number (SCN) is 11047.  

### Q: Does Cosmos 1038 have any other names?  
A: Yes, it is also referred to as Kosmos 1038.

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1038 represents a component of the Soviet Union’s extensive Strela‑1M satellite constellation, a series designed to provide reliable, low‑Earth‑orbit communications for military and governmental use. Launched during the Cold War, each Strela‑1M satellite contributed to a resilient, store‑and‑forward network that could transmit messages across vast distances without reliance on ground‑based infrastructure. The use of the Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome underscores the strategic emphasis on rapid, cost‑effective deployment of orbital assets from high‑latitude sites. Understanding Cosmos 1038’s specifications and launch context helps illustrate the broader architecture of Soviet space communications and the technological capabilities that supported secure, real‑time data exchange across the USSR’s expansive territory.

## Notable For  
- Being a member of the Strela‑1M satellite class, a key element of Soviet communications infrastructure.  
- Launching on 4 October 1978, a period of intensive satellite deployment for the USSR.  
- Utilising the Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle, a reliable workhorse of Soviet space missions.  
- Lifting off from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, highlighting the strategic use of northern launch sites.  
- Holding the catalog identifier 11047, linking it to global tracking databases.

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 1038 (Kosmos 1038) is catalogued as a Strela‑1M satellite, a series of low‑Earth‑orbit communications platforms developed by the Soviet Union. The satellite’s primary purpose was to support store‑and‑forward messaging, enabling secure transmission of data between ground stations and mobile users.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 4 October 1978, 03:49 UTC.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132, a northern launch complex used for polar and high‑inclination orbits.  
- **Vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M, a two‑stage launch rocket capable of delivering payloads of up to ~1,500 kg to low Earth orbit.  
- **Event:** Recorded as a “rocket launch” in mission logs, confirming successful insertion into orbit.

### Classification & Identifiers  
- **Instance of:** Strela‑1M (satellite class).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1978‑091E – the international designator assigned to the launch.  
- **Space Catalog Number (SCN):** 11047 – the tracking number used by organizations such as NORAD.  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1038 – alternative naming convention used in Russian sources.

### Technical Context  
While specific technical specifications (mass, dimensions, operational lifespan) are not detailed in the source material, the Strela‑1M series generally featured:
- Low‑Earth‑orbit deployment (≈1,000 km altitude).  
- Store‑and‑forward communications payloads.  
- Designed for rapid, repeatable launches using the Kosmos‑3M vehicle.

### Legacy  
Cosmos 1038’s launch contributed to the continuity of the Soviet communications satellite network, reinforcing the capability to maintain secure, resilient messaging channels across the USSR’s vast geography. Its inclusion in multiple language Wikipedia editions (Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian) reflects ongoing interest and documentation in the region’s historical space activities.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report