# Cosmos 1291
**Wikidata**: [Q12907349](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907349)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1291

## Summary
Cosmos 1291 is a Soviet military communications satellite launched on August 6, 1981. It belongs to the Strela-1M class of low-Earth orbit communication satellites and was deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 1291
- Alternate name: Kosmos 1291
- COSPAR ID: 1981-074E
- SCN number: 12640
- Launch date: August 6, 1981
- Launch time: 11:49 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M
- Satellite class: Strela-1M
- Country of origin: Soviet Union

## FAQs
### Q: What is Cosmos 1291?
A: Cosmos 1291 is a Soviet-era military communications satellite belonging to the Strela-1M series. It was launched into low Earth orbit on August 6, 1981, for secure radio relay missions.

### Q: When was Cosmos 1291 launched?
A: Cosmos 1291 was launched on August 6, 1981, at 11:49 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.

### Q: What kind of satellite is Cosmos 1291?
A: Cosmos 1291 is part of the Strela-1M class, which consists of small, store-dump communication satellites used primarily for military purposes by the Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1291 represents one component of the Soviet Union's strategic military space infrastructure during the Cold War era. As part of the Strela-1M program, it contributed to secure line-of-sight communications between ground forces and command centers. These satellites were integral to maintaining operational security across dispersed military units due to their encrypted UHF-band transmissions. The deployment of such systems demonstrated the USSR’s capability to establish reliable tactical communication networks independent of terrestrial infrastructure, especially in remote regions like Siberia or Eastern Europe. Understanding satellites like Cosmos 1291 provides insight into historical developments in military satellite technology and geopolitical strategies involving outer space.

## Notable For
- Part of the classified Strela-1M military satellite system
- Launched during peak Cold War activity in Soviet space programs
- Operated in low Earth orbit with store-and-forward communication capabilities
- Represents early use of dedicated military satellite constellations for tactical coordination
- One of many Cosmos-labeled missions reflecting the broad scope of Soviet space activities

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1291 was a military communications satellite operated by the Soviet Union under the broader Cosmos program, which encompassed various scientific and defense-related payloads. Its primary function was to support secure tactical communications via the Strela-1M constellation.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft belonged to the Strela-1M class, designed specifically for military store-dump communications. These satellites received signals from ground stations, stored them onboard, then retransmitted them to other locations within line-of-sight range.

### Launch Details
- **Date**: August 6, 1981  
- **Time**: 11:49 UTC  
- **Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M two-stage liquid-fueled rocket  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Launch Complex 132  

### Operational Context
As part of the Strela-1M network, Cosmos 1291 participated in a system that enabled high-frequency radio relay services for Soviet armed forces. Satellites in this group typically had short orbital periods (~90 minutes) and limited coverage windows per pass, requiring coordinated scheduling with ground terminals.

### Identification Numbers
- **COSPAR ID**: 1981-074E  
- **SCN (Space Command Number)**: 12640  
- **Alternate Designation**: Kosmos 1291  

### Legacy and Status
While detailed post-launch operations remain largely classified, Cosmos 1291 fits into the larger pattern of Soviet military satellite deployments aimed at enhancing battlefield communications resilience. No public record indicates deactivation or decay information, but it likely ceased operation after several years typical for such designs.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report