# Cosmos 1204
**Wikidata**: [Q12753159](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753159)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1204

## Summary
Cosmos 1204 was a Soviet satellite launched on July 31, 1980, from Kapustin Yar using a Kosmos-3M rocket. It was part of the Rhombus satellite class and is identified by the COSPAR designation 1980-067A and the international designator 11917.

## Key Facts
- Launched on July 31, 1980, at 10:20:00 from Kapustin Yar
- Satellite class: Rhombus
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket
- COSPAR ID: 1980-067A
- International designator: 11917
- Country of origin: Soviet Union (now Russia)
- Wikipedia languages: Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "11917"]

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1204?
A: Cosmos 1204 was a Rhombus-class satellite, a designation used for certain Soviet military and scientific satellites launched during the Cold War era.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1204 launched?
A: It was launched on July 31, 1980, at 10:20:00 from Kapustin Yar, a major Soviet launch site in Russia.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1204?
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet-era launch vehicle that was widely used for deploying small satellites.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1204 represents a significant piece of Cold War-era space technology, reflecting the Soviet Union's continued investment in satellite reconnaissance and scientific missions during the 1980s. As a Rhombus-class satellite, it likely served military or dual-use purposes, contributing to the USSR's space-based intelligence and surveillance capabilities. The use of the reliable Kosmos-3M rocket underscores the importance of proven launch systems in maintaining consistent access to space during this period. Its launch from Kapustin Yar, one of the Soviet Union's primary spaceports, highlights the strategic role of this facility in Russia's space program. The satellite's documentation in multiple Slavic Wikipedia languages also indicates its historical and technical relevance within the post-Soviet information space.

## Notable For
- Part of the Rhombus satellite class, a specialized Soviet satellite designation
- Launched using the reliable Kosmos-3M rocket, a workhorse of Soviet space launches
- One of the many Cosmos-series satellites, which were often military or experimental in nature
- Documented in multiple Slavic Wikipedia languages, showing regional historical interest
- Identified by both COSPAR and international designator systems, ensuring global traceability

## Body
### Launch Details
Cosmos 1204 was launched on July 31, 1980, at precisely 10:20:00 UTC from Kapustin Yar, a major Soviet launch site located in the Astrakhan Oblast of Russia. The launch was conducted using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a proven Soviet launch vehicle known for its reliability in deploying small satellites.

### Satellite Classification
The satellite belongs to the Rhombus class, a designation used by the Soviet Union for a series of military and scientific satellites. The Rhombus class likely served reconnaissance or experimental purposes, consistent with the broader Cosmos program's objectives during the Cold War.

### Identification and Documentation
Cosmos 1204 is cataloged under the COSPAR designation 1980-067A and the international designator 11917. It is referenced in academic and space tracking databases, including Wikidata, where it is linked to the Kosmos-3M rocket and the Soviet Union as its country of origin. The satellite is documented in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian Wikipedia editions, reflecting its historical significance in the post-Soviet region.

### Technical and Historical Context
As a Cosmos-series satellite, Cosmos 1204 was part of a large family of Soviet spacecraft often used for military, scientific, or experimental missions. The use of the Kosmos-3M rocket and the Kapustin Yar launch site underscores the Soviet Union's strategic approach to maintaining a robust and versatile space program during the Cold War. The satellite's launch date and classification provide valuable data points for historians and space researchers studying the evolution of Soviet space capabilities.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report