# Cosmos 1081
**Wikidata**: [Q12907283](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907283)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1081

## Summary
Cosmos 1081 (also known as Kosmos 1081) was a Soviet military communications satellite launched in 1979 as part of the Strela-1M constellation. It was deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The satellite served as part of a low-orbit communication network for the Soviet Union.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** March 15, 1979  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1979-024A  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 11296  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M rocket  
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132  
- **Satellite Class:** Strela-1M (military communications)  
- **Operator:** Soviet Union (later Russia)  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch at 02:58 UTC on March 15, 1979  

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1081?  
A: It was a military communications satellite designed to relay secure messages for Soviet armed forces as part of the Strela-1M network.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 1081 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, a major Soviet/Russian spaceport.  

### Q: Is Cosmos 1081 still operational?  
A: No, it was part of a low-orbit constellation with a limited lifespan, and no longer functional.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1081 was part of the Strela-1M system, a critical Soviet military communications network that enabled secure, real-time data transmission for defense operations. These satellites provided redundancy and global coverage, ensuring command and control capabilities even in remote regions. While now obsolete, the Strela-1M series laid groundwork for modern military satellite communications, influencing later Russian systems like Rodnik. Its launch also reflects Cold War-era space competition, where both superpowers prioritized secure orbital infrastructure.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Role:** Part of a classified Soviet communications network for defense operations.  
- **Launch Precision:** Deployed at 02:58 UTC, demonstrating the Kosmos-3M rocket's reliability.  
- **Legacy System:** Contributed to the evolution of Russia's satellite communication technology.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** March 15, 1979, at 02:58 UTC  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 (a primary launch facility for Soviet military satellites)  
- **Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M (a two-stage liquid-fueled rocket with over 400 successful launches)  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class:** Strela-1M (a derivative of the Strela series, optimized for secure military comms)  
- **Orbit:** Likely low Earth orbit (LEO), typical for Strela-1M satellites (~1,500 km altitude)  

### Operational Context  
- **Constellation Role:** One of multiple satellites in the Strela-1M network, ensuring global coverage.  
- **Predecessors/Successors:** Followed earlier Strela models; later replaced by Rodnik satellites.  

### Technical Legacy  
- The Kosmos-3M rocket, used for this launch, was retired in 2012 after a 50-year service history.  
- Strela-1M satellites were eventually phased out in favor of more advanced systems.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report