# Cosmos 1222
**Wikidata**: [Q12753168](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753168)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1222

## Summary
Cosmos 1222 is a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched on November 21, 1980. It is a Tselina-D class model designed for electronic reconnaissance and was deployed into orbit using a Vostok-2M carrier rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** November 21, 1980
- **Launch Time:** 11:53:00
- **Classification:** Tselina-D model (Soviet signals intelligence satellite)
- **Launch Vehicle:** Vostok-2M expendable carrier rocket
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 12071
- **COSPAR ID:** 1980-093A
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1222

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Cosmos 1222?
A: Cosmos 1222 was a Tselina-D class satellite, which served as a Soviet signals intelligence (SIGINT) tool. It was designed for electronic reconnaissance and the monitoring of radio signals from space.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1222 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on November 21, 1980, at 11:53:00. The launch took place at Site 43 of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

### Q: What type of rocket was used for the Cosmos 1222 mission?
A: Cosmos 1222 was launched using a Vostok-2M, which is an expendable carrier rocket.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1222 represents a specific operational instance of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era electronic intelligence capabilities. As a Tselina-D class satellite, it was part of a specialized lineage of spacecraft dedicated to signals intelligence (SIGINT). These satellites were critical for the Soviet military to gather data on foreign electronic emissions and radar signatures. 

The mission highlights the technical synergy between the Vostok-2M carrier rocket and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a primary site for Soviet military space launches. By maintaining a constellation of such satellites, the Soviet Union established a persistent orbital presence for strategic reconnaissance. Cosmos 1222 remains a point of reference in the history of space-based surveillance and the broader "Cosmos" designation system used to categorize Soviet orbital assets.

## Notable For
- **SIGINT Classification:** It is an instance of the Tselina-D class, a dedicated model for Soviet signals intelligence.
- **Vostok-2M Launch:** Utilized the Vostok-2M expendable carrier rocket for its orbital insertion.
- **Plesetsk Origin:** Launched from the strategic Site 43 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
- **International Identification:** Recognized by the COSPAR ID 1980-093A and SCN 12071.

## Body

### Mission Profile
Cosmos 1222, also known as Kosmos 1222, was successfully launched on November 21, 1980. The launch event occurred at 11:53:00 UTC. The mission originated from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, utilizing the facilities at Site 43.

### Technical Classification
The satellite is categorized as a Tselina-D model. This class of spacecraft was specifically engineered by the Soviet Union for signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic reconnaissance. The Tselina-D series followed the earlier Tselina-O models and provided more advanced capabilities for monitoring electronic signals.

### Launch Vehicle
The delivery system for Cosmos 1222 was the Vostok-2M. This expendable carrier rocket was a staple of the Soviet space program, frequently used to deploy various military and scientific payloads into Earth's orbit.

### Identification and Documentation
Cosmos 1222 is tracked and identified through several international systems:
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 12071
- **COSPAR ID:** 1980-093A
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "12071"]

The satellite is documented across several Wikipedia language editions, including Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report