# Cosmos 1138
**Wikidata**: [Q12907302](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907302)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1138

## Summary  
Cosmos 1138 (also known as Kosmos 1138) was a Soviet spy satellite launched in 1979 as part of the Zenit 6U program. It was designed for reconnaissance missions and launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: September 28, 1979, at 12:20 UTC.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket variant.  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1979-085A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 11548.  
- **Class**: Zenit 6U, a Soviet reconnaissance satellite.  
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 on September 28, 1979.  
- **Class**: Zenit 6U, a Soviet reconnaissance satellite.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1138?  
A: Cosmos 1138 was a Soviet spy satellite designed for military reconnaissance, likely capturing imagery for intelligence purposes.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 1138 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, a major Soviet spaceport used for military and scientific missions.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1138?  
A: It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz design optimized for reliability and payload capacity.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1138 was part of the Zenit 6U program, a series of Soviet reconnaissance satellites critical during the Cold War for gathering strategic intelligence. These satellites provided high-resolution imagery, aiding military planning and surveillance. The use of the Soyuz-U rocket underscored the Soviet Union's reliance on proven launch systems for sensitive missions. While not individually groundbreaking, Cosmos 1138 contributed to the broader Soviet space reconnaissance effort, which played a key role in Cold War geopolitics.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Role**: Operated as a spy satellite under the Zenit 6U program.  
- **Reliable Launch**: Deployed using the Soyuz-U, a workhorse of Soviet space launches.  
- **Cold War Context**: Part of a broader effort to monitor global military activities during heightened tensions.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: September 28, 1979, at 12:20 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, a primary launch facility for Soviet military missions.  
- **Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket, known for its reliability and frequent use in Soviet space programs.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Designation**: Zenit 6U-class reconnaissance satellite.  
- **Catalog Number**: 11548 (Satellite Catalog Number).  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1979-085A, identifying its launch in international databases.  

### Mission Context  
- **Purpose**: Conducted photographic or signals intelligence for Soviet military operations.  
- **Legacy**: Contributed to the Zenit program's long-standing role in Cold War espionage.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report