# Cosmos 1365
**Wikidata**: [Q12753239](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753239)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1365

## Summary
Cosmos 1365 was a Soviet nuclear-powered surveillance satellite, part of the US-A series, launched on May 14, 1982. It was designed for ocean reconnaissance and intelligence gathering using radar systems powered by a nuclear reactor. The satellite was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Tsyklon-2 rocket.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 1365 (also known as Kosmos 1365)
- COSPAR ID: 1982-043A
- Launch date: May 14, 1982
- Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90
- Launch time: 19:39:00 UTC
- Launch vehicle: Tsyklon-2
- Satellite class: US-A (Soviet nuclear-powered ocean surveillance satellite)
- SCN (Space Command Number): 13175
- Also referenced as: Entity["Satellite", "13175"] in Wolfram Language
- Wikipedia coverage exists in Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1365?
A: Cosmos 1365 was a Soviet nuclear-powered ocean surveillance satellite used for military reconnaissance. It monitored naval activity using radar systems powered by a nuclear reactor to detect and track ships over large areas.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1365 launched?
A: Cosmos 1365 was launched on May 14, 1982, at 19:39:00 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90 in Kazakhstan. It was carried into orbit by a Tsyklon-2 launch vehicle.

### Q: How does Cosmos 1365 differ from other satellites of its era?
A: Unlike conventional satellites, Cosmos 1365 was part of the US-A program and used a nuclear reactor to power its radar systems. This allowed it to operate with greater energy efficiency and perform continuous ocean surveillance missions.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1365 represents a key component of Cold War-era space-based military technology developed by the Soviet Union. As part of the US-A satellite program, it demonstrated the USSR's capability to deploy nuclear-powered spacecraft for strategic reconnaissance purposes. These satellites were instrumental in monitoring NATO naval movements during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. The use of nuclear power enabled persistent operation in Earth’s orbit, marking a significant advancement in surveillance capabilities beyond what solar-powered systems could offer at the time.

## Notable For
- Being part of the classified US-A series of Soviet nuclear-powered surveillance satellites
- Utilizing a nuclear reactor as its primary power source for extended mission duration
- Launching via the Tsyklon-2, a Ukrainian-developed expendable launch system
- Contributing to the Soviet Union's global maritime intelligence-gathering network
- Representing one of several successful deployments in a technically advanced but controversial satellite program

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1365 was a military reconnaissance satellite operated by the Soviet Union under the US-A program. Its main objective was to conduct ocean surveillance using synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which allowed detection of surface vessels across vast distances regardless of weather conditions or daylight.

### Technical Specifications
- **Power Source**: Nuclear reactor (typically TOPAZ-class thermionic converter reactors)
- **Payload**: Radar imaging and signal intelligence equipment
- **Orbit Type**: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) optimized for maritime observation
- **Design Life**: Extended operational lifespan due to nuclear power supply

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully placed into orbit on **May 14, 1982**, at **19:39:00 UTC**. The launch occurred at **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90**, utilizing the **Tsyklon-2** launch vehicle—a medium-lift carrier primarily used by the Soviet military for launching various types of reconnaissance payloads.

### Program Context
As part of the broader **US-A program**, Cosmos 1365 contributed to a constellation of satellites intended to provide near-real-time tracking of U.S. and allied naval forces. These satellites played a critical role in Soviet defense strategy throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

### Legacy and Significance
Despite their technological achievements, the US-A satellites raised international concerns regarding the safety of nuclear materials in space. Cosmos 1365 remains an example of how nuclear propulsion was explored for long-term surveillance applications during the height of the Cold War.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report