# Cosmos 1245
**Wikidata**: [Q12753180](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753180)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1245

## Summary
Cosmos 1245 is a Soviet spy satellite launched on February 13, 1981, as part of the Zenit 6U program. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 1981-014A and SCN number 12299.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 1245
- Alternate name: Kosmos 1245
- Launch date: February 13, 1981
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-U rocket
- Satellite class: Zenit 6U (Soviet reconnaissance satellite)
- COSPAR ID: 1981-014A
- SCN number: 12299
- Time of launch: 11:15 UTC
- Related classes: Zenit 6U, Soyuz-U

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1245?
A: Cosmos 1245 was a Zenit 6U reconnaissance satellite used by the Soviet Union for intelligence-gathering purposes. These satellites were typically employed for optical surveillance missions.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1245 launched?
A: Cosmos 1245 was launched on February 13, 1981, at 11:15 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What kind of rocket launched Cosmos 1245?
A: Cosmos 1245 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a widely used Soviet launch vehicle designed for launching satellites into low Earth orbit.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1245 represents one part of the Soviet Union's extensive space-based reconnaissance efforts during the Cold War era. As a member of the Zenit 6U class, it contributed to the USSR’s strategic intelligence capabilities through orbital surveillance. Its launch reflects the technological competition between global superpowers and underscores the military applications of space technology. Understanding missions like Cosmos 1245 helps contextualize the historical development of satellite reconnaissance systems and their geopolitical implications.

## Notable For
- Part of the classified Zenit 6U spy satellite series operated by the Soviet Union
- Launched via the reliable and commonly used Soyuz-U rocket
- One of many Cosmos-designated satellites that formed the backbone of Soviet orbital operations
- Represents Soviet advancements in photo-reconnaissance satellite technology during the early 1980s
- Identified with multiple international tracking identifiers including COSPAR ID 1981-014A and SCN 12299

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1245 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit 6U class. It was launched as part of the broader Cosmos program, which encompassed various scientific and military payloads operated by the USSR.

### Technical Classification
- **Instance Of**: Zenit 6U class satellite
- **Purpose**: Reconnaissance (likely optical imaging)
- **Operator**: Soviet Union

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: February 13, 1981
- **Launch Time**: 11:15 UTC
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 43
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket

The launch marked another successful deployment within the Zenit program, known for its role in high-resolution Earth observation during the Cold War period.

### Identifiers
- **COSPAR ID**: 1981-014A
- **SCN Number**: 12299
- **Aliases**: Kosmos 1245

These identifiers are used globally for cataloging and tracking artificial satellites in orbit.

### Historical Context
Launched during a peak phase of Cold War espionage, Cosmos 1245 exemplifies the use of outer space for national security objectives. Satellites such as those in the Zenit family played critical roles in monitoring adversaries' activities without violating territorial airspace.

### Legacy
While specific mission outcomes remain classified, Cosmos 1245 contributes to the legacy of Soviet space-based intelligence assets. Its existence highlights the scale and sophistication of the USSR's orbital reconnaissance infrastructure throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report