# Cosmos 1048
**Wikidata**: [Q13566473](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566473)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1048

## Summary
Cosmos 1048 was a Soviet Strela-2M communications satellite launched on November 16, 1978. It was deployed into orbit using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132. The satellite is identified by the international designator 1978-105A and the satellite catalog number 11111.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Cosmos 1048 is an instance of the **Strela-2M** class, a model of Soviet/Russian communications satellite.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite launched on **November 16, 1978**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was carried into space by a **Kosmos-3M** rocket.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**.
*   **COSPAR ID:** Its international designator is **1978-105A**.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under the number **11111**.
*   **Launch Time:** The launch event occurred at **21:45:00**.
*   **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as **Kosmos 1048**.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1048?
A: Cosmos 1048 was a Strela-2M satellite, a class of spacecraft used for communications by the Soviet Union and Russia.

### Q: When was Cosmos 1048 launched?
A: Cosmos 1048 was launched on November 16, 1978, at 21:45:00 UTC.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1048?
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a common launch vehicle for Soviet military and scientific payloads.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1048 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's extensive space-based communications infrastructure during the Cold War. As a unit of the **Strela-2M** class, it highlights the operational reliance on standardized satellite bus designs to maintain consistent communication capabilities. The mission illustrates the heavy utilization of the **Kosmos-3M** launch vehicle and the strategic importance of the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, specifically Site 132, as a primary launch point for these orbital assets. The satellite's designation within the broader "Cosmos" program—a naming convention used to obscure the specific nature of Soviet military satellites—reflects the standard operational security procedures of the era. With its specific launch time and catalog number (11111), it remains a distinct data point in the historical record of orbital launches.

## Notable For
*   **Strela-2M Class:** Belonging to a specific series of Soviet/Russian communications satellites.
*   **Orbital Designation:** Carrying the sequential satellite catalog number **11111** and COSPAR ID **1978-105A**.
*   **Launch Platform:** Being deployed via the Kosmos-3M rocket, a workhorse of the Soviet space program.
*   **Launch Location:** Utilizing the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 facility.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Classification
Cosmos 1048 was an artificial satellite operated by the Soviet Union. It is officially classified as an **instance of the Strela-2M** model. This class of spacecraft was utilized for communication purposes. The satellite's launch was a significant event logged with a precise time of **21:45:00**.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **November 16, 1978**. The mission utilized a **Kosmos-3M** rocket, a two-stage launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union. The launch site was **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**, a major spaceport used for numerous Kosmos satellite deployments.

### Identifiers and Tracking
For international tracking and cataloging, Cosmos 1048 was assigned the **COSPAR ID 1978-105A**. This identifier indicates it was the primary payload (denoted by 'A') for that specific launch date in 1978. Additionally, it was assigned the **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 11111**. These identifiers allow for the precise tracking of the object in orbital databases, such as those referenced by the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "11111"]`.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report