# Cosmos 1251
**Wikidata**: [Q13566516](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566516)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1251

## Summary
Cosmos 1251 was a Soviet satellite launched on March 6, 1981, belonging to the Strela-1M class. It was deployed into orbit using a Kosmos-3M rocket launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Cosmos 1251 is an instance of the Strela-1M satellite class.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on March 6, 1981.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was carried to orbit by a Kosmos-3M rocket.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
*   **COSPAR ID:** Its international designation is 1981-022B.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under Satcat No. 12321.
*   **Launch Time:** The specific launch event occurred at 11:31:00.
*   **Aliases:** The entity is also known simply as Kosmos 1251.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1251?
A: Cosmos 1251 was a satellite of the Strela-1M class, a category of Soviet spacecraft.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 1251 launched?
A: It was launched on March 6, 1981, at 11:31:00, using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID for Cosmos 1251?
A: The COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) international identifier for this satellite is 1981-022B.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1251 serves as a specific data point within the broader timeline of Soviet space operations during the Cold War. As a unit of the Strela-1M class, it represents the technological continuation of the Soviet Union's tactical communication or early warning capabilities, although specific mission details are often obscured by the generic "Kosmos" designation used for such spacecraft.

The entry is significant for space tracking and historical analysis due to its precise identification data. The use of the Kosmos-3M launch vehicle highlights the reliance of the Soviet space program on this specific class of rocket during the early 1980s for deploying satellite constellations. Furthermore, the precise recording of its launch time (11:31:00) and location (Site 132) provides verifiable historical telemetry for researchers studying the launch cadence and traffic of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Notable For
*   Being a member of the **Strela-1M class** of satellites.
*   Launching on the **Kosmos-3M**, a prominent Russian/Soviet rocket.
*   Deployment from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**, a key Soviet spaceport facility.
*   Precise launch time recording (**11:31:00** on **March 6, 1981**).

## Body

### Mission Identity and Classification
Cosmos 1251 is officially classified as a **Strela-1M** satellite. It is part of the long-running "Kosmos" series, a designation used by the Soviet Union (and later Russia) to cover a wide variety of military and scientific satellites. The "Strela-1M" classification indicates a specific configuration or generation of satellite technology used during this era.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **March 6, 1981**. The mission was executed from the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, specifically utilizing **Site 132**. The launch vehicle responsible for placing Cosmos 1251 into orbit was the **Kosmos-3M**, a two-stage rocket derived from the R-14 ballistic missile, which was frequently used for lighter payloads.

### Identifiers and Tracking
For international tracking and cataloging purposes, Cosmos 1251 is identified by the following designations:
*   **COSPAR International Designator:** 1981-022B
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 12321

These identifiers allow the object to be distinguished from other objects launched in the same year or on the same launch vehicle (indicated by the "B" suffix in the COSPAR ID, typically denoting the second object or the payload of that specific launch). The launch was recorded as a significant event with a precise time of **11:31:00**.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report