# Cosmos 1312
**Wikidata**: [Q12907356](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907356)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1312

## Summary  
Cosmos 1312 (also known as Kosmos 1312) was a Soviet geodetic satellite launched in 1981 as part of the GEO-IK series. It was designed for precise Earth measurements and was launched aboard a Tsyklon-3 rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: September 30, 1981, at 08:00:00 UTC.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1981-098A.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable rocket.  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 12879.  
- **Class**: Part of the GEO-IK series, a group of 14 Soviet/Russian geodetic satellites launched between 1981 and 1994.  
- **Aliases**: Also referred to as Kosmos 1312.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1312?  
A: Cosmos 1312 was a geodetic satellite designed for precise Earth measurements, aiding in mapping and scientific research.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 1312 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32, a major Soviet/Russian spaceport.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1312?  
A: It was launched aboard a Tsyklon-3 rocket, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1312 was part of the GEO-IK series, which played a critical role in advancing geodetic science during the Cold War era. These satellites provided high-precision data for mapping, gravitational field studies, and military applications. The program contributed to the Soviet Union's ability to accurately measure Earth's shape and gravitational anomalies, which were vital for missile targeting and global positioning systems. Its launch also demonstrated the reliability of the Tsyklon-3 rocket, which became a workhorse for Soviet satellite deployments.  

## Notable For  
- **Geodetic Mission**: Part of a specialized series for Earth measurement and mapping.  
- **Soviet Space Program**: Contributed to the USSR's strategic and scientific capabilities.  
- **Tsyklon-3 Rocket**: Showcased the launch vehicle's role in deploying critical payloads.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: September 30, 1981.  
- **Time**: 08:00:00 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32, a key launch facility for Soviet satellites.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Catalog Number**: 12879.  
- **Series**: GEO-IK, a class of 14 geodetic satellites.  
- **Alias**: Kosmos 1312.  

### Launch Vehicle  
- **Rocket**: Tsyklon-3, an expendable launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union and later Ukraine.  
- **Payload Capacity**: Designed for medium-sized satellite deployments.  

### Mission Context  
- **Geodetic Role**: Provided data for Earth's shape and gravitational field studies.  
- **Historical Significance**: Part of Cold War-era space and military technology advancements.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report