# Cosmos 1438
**Wikidata**: [Q12753271](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753271)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1438

## Summary
Cosmos 1438 is a Soviet spy satellite launched on January 27, 1983, as part of the Zenit 6U reconnaissance program. It was deployed into orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle. This mission represents a specific instance of Soviet orbital intelligence gathering during the early 1980s.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** January 27, 1983
- **Launch Time:** 08:30:00
- **Classification:** Zenit 6U class spy satellite
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U (Universal variant)
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 13779
- **COSPAR ID:** 1983-005A
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1438
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "13779"]

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Cosmos 1438?
A: Cosmos 1438 was a Zenit 6U class satellite, which served as a Soviet spy satellite. Its primary function was to conduct reconnaissance from orbit for the Soviet Union.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1438 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on January 27, 1983, at 08:30:00. The launch took place at Site 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

### Q: What rocket was used to carry Cosmos 1438 into space?
A: Cosmos 1438 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket. This "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design was the standard vehicle for this class of satellite.

### Q: What are the official tracking identifiers for this satellite?
A: Cosmos 1438 is officially identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 13779 and the COSPAR ID 1983-005A.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1438 is a representative example of the Soviet Union's extensive Zenit 6U reconnaissance program. During the Cold War, the ability to gather intelligence from space was a critical component of Soviet military strategy. By utilizing the Soyuz-U rocket—a "Universal" design variant—the Soviet space program demonstrated a high level of standardization and reliability in its launch operations. 

The launch of Cosmos 1438 from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 highlights the continued importance of this specific launch facility in Soviet and later Russian space history. While many individual satellites in the Cosmos series were launched, each mission like Cosmos 1438 provided specific data points for historical analysis of orbital surveillance patterns. The satellite's documentation across multiple languages, including Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian, reflects its historical relevance in the context of Eastern European and Soviet technological history. Understanding these missions is essential for researchers tracking the evolution of spy satellite technology and the geopolitical landscape of the 1980s.

## Notable For
- **Zenit 6U Classification:** It belongs to a specific class of Soviet reconnaissance satellites designed for spy missions.
- **Soyuz-U Launch:** The mission utilized the Soyuz-U, a universal rocket variant known for its role in the Soviet space program.
- **Precise Launch Record:** The mission is documented with a specific launch time of 08:30:00 on January 27, 1983.
- **International Identification:** It is tracked globally via COSPAR ID 1983-005A and SCN 13779.

## Body

### Mission and Launch Details
Cosmos 1438, also referred to as Kosmos 1438, was a Soviet military mission. The satellite was launched on January 27, 1983, at 08:30:00. The launch was conducted from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically utilizing Site 31. This site has been a primary location for numerous Soviet and Russian space launches.

### Technical Classification
The satellite is an instance of the Zenit 6U class. The Zenit 6U was a type of Soviet spy satellite used for reconnaissance purposes. To reach orbit, the mission employed the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, which is a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design. This rocket was a staple of the Soviet Union's space infrastructure.

### Identification and Documentation
Cosmos 1438 is cataloged under several international and technical systems:
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 13779
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1983-005A
*   **Wolfram Language Code:** Entity["Satellite", "13779"]

The satellite is also documented in various regional encyclopedic records, with Wikipedia entries available in the Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr) languages. These records maintain the historical data regarding its launch and classification as a Soviet reconnaissance asset.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report