# Cosmos 1488
**Wikidata**: [Q12753298](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753298)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1488

## Summary
Cosmos 1488 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on August 9, 1983. Designated as a Zenit 6U class spacecraft, it was deployed into orbit using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It is identified internationally by the COSPAR ID 1983-082A and the Satellite Catalog Number 14251.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Cosmos 1488 is an instance of the **Zenit 6U** class of Soviet spy satellites.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on **August 9, 1983**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled by a **Soyuz-U** rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4**.
*   **Launch Time:** The specific launch event occurred at **11:20:00**.
*   **Identifiers:** The satellite holds the COSPAR ID **1983-082A** and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) **14251**.
*   **Aliases:** It is also known as **Kosmos 1488**.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1488?
A: Cosmos 1488 was a Soviet spy satellite belonging to the Zenit 6U class.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1488 launched?
A: It was launched on August 9, 1983, at 11:20:00 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1488?
A: The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1488 represents a specific mission within the extensive "Cosmos" program, a designation used by the Soviet Union to classify a vast array of military and scientific satellites. As a Zenit 6U satellite, its launch illustrates the operational deployment of Soviet reconnaissance technology during the Cold War. The mission highlights the reliance on the Soyuz-U rocket, a workhorse of the Soviet space fleet, for deploying military assets. Launched in 1983, Cosmos 1488 contributed to the Soviet Union's orbital surveillance capabilities, serving as a standard operational unit in a large constellation of spy satellites designed to monitor geopolitical hotspots. Its launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a primary site for military launches, further underscores its role in national defense and intelligence gathering.

## Notable For
*   **Military Classification:** Distinguished as a Zenit 6U class satellite, explicitly identified as a Soviet spy satellite.
*   **Launch Configuration:** Utilized the Soyuz-U "Universal" rocket variant, a staple of Soviet space logistics.
*   **Precise Tracking:** Uniquely identified by the specific launch time of 11:20:00 and the detailed site code 43/4 at Plesetsk.
*   **Naming Convention:** Part of the "Cosmos" (or "Kosmos") series, a broad nomenclature used to obscure the specific military nature of Soviet satellites.

## Body
### Mission Classification
Cosmos 1488 is officially classified as an instance of the **Zenit 6U**, a type of Soviet spy satellite. This classification links the entity to the broader category of military reconnaissance spacecraft operated by the Soviet Union.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **August 9, 1983**. The mission began at the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, specifically utilizing **Site 43/4**. The launch event was precisely timed at **11:20:00**.

### Vehicle and Propulsion
The delivery system for Cosmos 1488 was the **Soyuz-U** rocket. This vehicle is described as a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design. The Soyuz-U was a frequently used launch vehicle for both scientific and military payloads during this era.

### Identification and Aliases
The entity is referred to interchangeably as **Cosmos 1488** or **Kosmos 1488**. In international tracking systems, it is registered under the **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 14251** and the **COSPAR ID 1983-082A**. These identifiers allow for the precise tracking and differentiation of this specific object from the thousands of other satellites launched during the Cold War.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report