# Cosmos 1504
**Wikidata**: [Q12753308](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753308)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1504

## Summary

Cosmos 1504 is a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1983 as part of the Yantar-4K2 series, designed for optical surveillance and intelligence gathering. Operating under the Cosmos program, it was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket and served as part of the Soviet Union's strategic reconnaissance capabilities during the Cold War era.

## Key Facts

- **Designation**: Cosmos 1504 (also spelled Kosmos 1504)
- **COSPAR ID**: 1983-104A
- **Satellite Number (SCN)**: 14403
- **Class**: Yantar-4K2 — Soviet/Russian spy satellite
- **Launch Date**: October 14, 1983
- **Launch Time**: 10:00:00 UTC
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U (Universal variant)
- **Country**: Soviet Union
- **Wikipedia Languages**: Macedonian (mk), Serbian (sh), Serbo-Croatian (sr)
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Entity["Satellite", "14403"]
- **Sitelink Count**: 3

## FAQs

**What type of satellite was Cosmos 1504?**
Cosmos 1504 was a Yantar-4K2-class Soviet reconnaissance satellite designed for optical surveillance and strategic intelligence gathering, part of the Yantar series of spy satellites.

**When was Cosmos 1504 launched?**
Cosmos 1504 was launched on October 14, 1983, at 10:00:00 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 in the Kazakh SSR (now Kazakhstan).

**What rocket launched Cosmos 1504?**
Cosmos 1504 was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket, which was a Universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design manufactured in the Soviet Union.

**What was the purpose of the Yantar-4K2 satellite series?**
The Yantar-4K2 satellites were Soviet optical reconnaissance spacecraft designed to capture high-resolution imagery for military and strategic intelligence purposes, supporting Soviet defense and surveillance operations.

**How is Cosmos 1504 identified in different catalogs?**
Cosmos 1504 is cataloged as COSPAR ID 1983-104A and has a Satellite Number (SCN) of 14403 in the US Satellite Catalog.

## Why It Matters

Cosmos 1504 represents a significant artifact of Cold War-era Soviet military technology and intelligence operations. As a Yantar-4K2 reconnaissance satellite, it contributed to the Soviet Union's strategic surveillance capabilities during a period of intense geopolitical competition. The Yantar series was among the most capable optical reconnaissance systems developed by the Soviet program, providing critical intelligence that informed military planning and policy decisions. Understanding Cosmos 1504 helps contextualize the space-based intelligence infrastructure that existed during the 1980s, demonstrating the technological sophistication of Soviet satellite systems and their role in global security dynamics. The satellite also exemplifies the operational use of the reliable Soyuz-U launch vehicle for strategic payloads, a workhorse of the Soviet and later Russian space programs.

## Notable For

- Part of the Yantar-4K2 series, a dedicated Soviet military reconnaissance satellite platform
- Launched during the peak Cold War period, contributing to Soviet strategic intelligence capabilities
- Operated from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, one of the most historically significant launch facilities
- Carried aboard the Soyuz-U rocket, a proven and versatile launch vehicle with extensive flight history
- One of three Cosmos satellites from this period with dedicated Wikipedia coverage in multiple Slavic language editions

## Body

### Historical Context and Mission

Cosmos 1504 was launched on October 14, 1983, during a period of heightened Cold War tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States. The satellite belonged to the Yantar-4K2 series, which represented the Soviet Union's primary platform for high-resolution optical reconnaissance during the 1970s and 1980s. These satellites were designed to capture detailed photographic imagery of strategic locations, military installations, and terrain across the globe, providing the Soviet military and political leadership with critical intelligence for defense planning and foreign policy decisions.

The Yantar-4K2 satellites were developed by Soviet aerospace designers to address the growing demand for reliable, high-quality surveillance capabilities in orbit. Unlike earlier reconnaissance systems that relied on film-based cameras requiring return to Earth for development, the Yantar series represented an evolution in space-based observation technology, offering improved resolution and operational flexibility.

### Technical Specifications

Cosmos 1504 was assigned the international designator 1983-104A, indicating it was the first object launched in the 104th orbital launch of 1983. The Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 14403 is the unique identifier assigned by the United States Space Force for tracking purposes. The satellite operated in low Earth orbit, a typical profile for reconnaissance spacecraft requiring close proximity to targets for detailed imaging.

The Yantar-4K2 platform featured specialized optical systems capable of capturing high-resolution photographs of ground targets. These satellites were designed for extended mission durations, allowing sustained surveillance of areas of strategic interest.

### Launch Details

The launch occurred from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, one of the most active and historically significant launch facilities in the Soviet space program. Baikonur, located in present-day Kazakhstan, served as the primary launch site for Soviet crewed and uncrewed missions throughout the Space Race era and continues to operate as a launch facility for Russia.

Cosmos 1504 was propelled into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the reliable Soyuz design known as the "Universal" configuration. The Soyuz-U was one of the most frequently used launch vehicles in Soviet space history, with over 720 flights recorded. Its proven reliability made it a preferred choice for launching valuable reconnaissance payloads requiring precise orbital insertion.

### Program Context: The Cosmos Program

The Cosmos program was the Soviet Union's designation for scientific and military satellites launched beginning in 1962. The program encompassed a wide variety of satellite types, including communications, weather monitoring, scientific research, and military reconnaissance spacecraft. Cosmos 1504 represented the military reconnaissance component of this extensive program.

The Yantar series specifically focused on optical reconnaissance, with different variants serving various mission requirements. The Yantar-4K2 designation indicates a specific configuration within this series, optimized for particular imaging capabilities and operational parameters.

### Related Programs and Technology

The Soyuz-U launch vehicle that carried Cosmos 1504 into orbit was a cornerstone of Soviet and later Russian launch capabilities. Developed from the original Soyuz rocket design, the Universal variant featured improvements allowing for greater payload capacity and reliability. The Soyuz family has remained in continuous operation since the 1960s, making it one of the most successful rocket designs in history.

The Yantar-4K2 satellite class represented Soviet advancements in space-based surveillance technology. These satellites provided the Soviet military with independent access to strategic intelligence, reducing reliance on other collection methods and offering global coverage capabilities.

### Legacy and Documentation

Cosmos 1504 is documented in multiple language editions of Wikipedia, including Macedonian, Serbian, and Serbo-Croatian, reflecting interest in space history across Slavic-speaking regions. The satellite's documentation in the Wolfram computational knowledge system under Entity["Satellite", "14403"] demonstrates its integration into scientific and reference databases.

The satellite remains part of the historical record of Soviet military space activities, representing the technological capabilities and strategic priorities of the Soviet Union during the early 1980s. Its existence illustrates the extensive infrastructure and engineering expertise devoted to space-based intelligence gathering during the Cold War era.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report