# Cosmos 1061
**Wikidata**: [Q12907277](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907277)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1061

## Summary
Cosmos 1061 is a Soviet Zenit 2M reconnaissance satellite launched on December 14, 1978. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. The satellite is part of the Soviet Union's military space program and is catalogued under COSPAR ID 1978-114A.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 1061
- Alternate name: Kosmos 1061
- COSPAR ID: 1978-114A
- Satellite class: Zenit 2M (military reconnaissance)
- Launch date: December 14, 1978
- Launch time: 15:20:00 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-U
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- SCN (Spacecraft Number): 11148

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1061?
A: Cosmos 1061 was a Zenit 2M military reconnaissance satellite used by the Soviet Union for intelligence-gathering purposes. It was designed to conduct optical surveillance from orbit.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1061 launched?
A: Cosmos 1061 was launched on December 14, 1978, at 15:20:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in the Soviet Union. It was carried into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket.

### Q: How is Cosmos 1061 classified?
A: Cosmos 1061 is classified as a Zenit 2M satellite, which is a type of Soviet-era optical reconnaissance satellite. It belongs to the broader Cosmos satellite series used for various military missions.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1061 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era space-based intelligence infrastructure. As part of the Zenit 2M program, it contributed to the USSR's capability to monitor global activities through orbital reconnaissance. These satellites were instrumental in maintaining strategic parity during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. Cosmos 1061 exemplifies the technological and operational advancements made by the Soviet space program in deploying covert surveillance systems.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Zenit 2M class, known for high-resolution optical reconnaissance
- Launched during a peak period of Soviet military satellite deployment
- Operated under the standardized Cosmos naming convention for classified missions
- Used the reliable Soyuz-U launch system, one of the most frequently used rockets in history
- Assigned SCN 11148, identifying it within global spacecraft tracking databases

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1061 was a Zenit 2M military reconnaissance satellite operated by the Soviet Union. Satellites in this class were designed for optical imaging and intelligence collection from low Earth orbit.

### Technical Classification
- **Instance Of**: Zenit 2M satellite
- **SCN (Spacecraft Number)**: 11148
- **COSPAR ID**: 1978-114A
- **Alias**: Kosmos 1061

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: December 14, 1978
- **Launch Time**: 15:20:00 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4

The launch occurred during a period when the Soviet Union heavily relied on the Zenit program for strategic reconnaissance. The use of the Soyuz-U rocket reflects the standardization of launch platforms for military payloads during this era.

### Operational Context
As part of the Cosmos series, Cosmos 1061 was given a generic name to obscure its true function. The Zenit 2M class was known for returning film capsules for image analysis, making it a critical asset in pre-digital surveillance operations.

### Legacy and Tracking
Today, Cosmos 1061 is tracked by international space monitoring organizations under its COSPAR ID and SCN. Its historical significance lies in its contribution to Cold War-era intelligence efforts and its role in advancing orbital reconnaissance technology.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report