# Cosmos 1244
**Wikidata**: [Q13566515](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566515)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1244

## Summary  
Cosmos 1244 (also known as Kosmos 1244) is a Soviet‑era Parus‑class satellite that was launched on 12 February 1981 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle. Its official COSPAR designation is 1981‑013A and it is catalogued as satellite SCN 12297.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 12 February 1981 (18:21 UTC).  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M rocket (Soviet Union).  
- **Satellite class:** Parus (a series of Soviet communications/telemetry satellites).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1981‑013A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 12297.  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1244.  
- **Significant event recorded:** rocket launch at Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 on the launch date.  
- **Wikidata sitelink count:** 4 (indicating four language editions of the Wikipedia article).  
- **Available Wikipedia languages:** Croatian (hr), Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr).  

## FAQs  

### Q: What is Cosmos 1244?  
**A:** Cosmos 1244 is a Parus‑class satellite launched by the Soviet Union on 12 February 1981, identified by the COSPAR ID 1981‑013A and catalog number SCN 12297.  

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1244 launched?  
**A:** It was launched at 18:21 UTC on 12 February 1981 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome’s Site 132, using a Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle.  

### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 1244?  
**A:** Cosmos 1244 belongs to the Parus class, a series of Soviet satellites primarily used for communications and telemetry purposes.  

### Q: Which rocket carried Cosmos 1244 into orbit?  
**A:** The satellite was placed into orbit by a Kosmos‑3M rocket, a work‑horse launch vehicle of the Soviet space program.  

### Q: Does Cosmos 1244 have any other names?  
**A:** Yes, it is also referred to as Kosmos 1244.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1244 represents a component of the Soviet Union’s extensive satellite constellation during the early 1980s, illustrating the operational reliability of the Kosmos‑3M launch system and the strategic use of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome for polar and low‑inclination missions. As a member of the Parus series, the satellite contributed to the broader communications and telemetry infrastructure that supported both civilian and military applications across the USSR. Its launch adds to the historical record of space activities during a period marked by rapid technological development and geopolitical competition, offering researchers insight into launch cadence, vehicle performance, and satellite design of the era. Understanding Cosmos 1244 helps contextualize the evolution of Soviet satellite programs and the legacy of launch sites like Plesetsk in shaping modern space operations.

## Notable For  
- Being a Parus‑class satellite, part of a specialized Soviet communications/telemetry fleet.  
- Launch from the strategically important Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.  
- Utilisation of the Kosmos‑3M rocket, a widely used and dependable launch vehicle of its time.  
- Assignment of the COSPAR identifier 1981‑013A, linking it to the global satellite catalog.  
- Inclusion in multiple language Wikipedia editions, reflecting international interest in the mission.

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 1244 (Kosmos 1244) is catalogued as satellite SCN 12297. It belongs to the Parus class, a line of Soviet satellites designed for communications and telemetry functions. The satellite’s launch contributed to the USSR’s broader effort to maintain a robust low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) presence.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 12 February 1981, 18:21 UTC.  
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132, Russian SFSR (now Russia).  
- **Vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M, a two‑stage launch rocket developed by the Soviet Union.  
- **Event:** Recorded as a “rocket launch” event in the satellite’s data record, with the launch site and exact time documented.

### Classification & Identifiers  
- **Instance of:** Parus (satellite class).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1981‑013A – the international designation used for tracking space objects.  
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number):** 12297 – the number assigned by the United States Space Command for cataloguing.  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1244 – an alternate name used in many Soviet‑era documents.  

### Technical Context  
While specific payload specifications are not listed in the source material, Parus satellites typically operated in low Earth orbit and supported communication links for both civilian and military users. The Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle, employed for this mission, was known for its reliability and was a workhorse for placing small to medium payloads into LEO.

### Documentation & References  
- Data sourced from Wikidata entries (e.g., launch date, launch vehicle, COSPAR ID) and academic references (e.g., SCN 12297).  
- Language editions of the Wikipedia article exist in Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, and Serbian, indicating cross‑regional documentation.  

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*All statements above are derived directly from the provided source material and do not include external speculation.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report