# Cosmos 1538
**Wikidata**: [Q12753325](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753325)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1538

## Summary
Cosmos 1538 is a Strela-2M communications satellite launched by the Soviet Union on February 21, 1984, using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It is part of a series of Soviet/Russian military communications satellites designed for secure military communications.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: February 21, 1984
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- **Launch Time**: 15:36:00 UTC
- **Satellite Type**: Strela-2M (military communications satellite)
- **COSPAR ID**: 1984-019A
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union (later Russia)
- **Wikipedia Availability**: Available in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1538?
A: Cosmos 1538 was a Strela-2M communications satellite designed for secure military communications, part of the Soviet/Russian military satellite program.

### Q: Which rocket launched Cosmos 1538?
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 on February 21, 1984.

### Q: Is Cosmos 1538 still operational?
A: The source material does not provide information on the satellite's operational status. Its status would require additional research.

### Q: What is the Strela-2M satellite model?
A: The Strela-2M is a Soviet/Russian military communications satellite model, and Cosmos 1538 is an example of this class.

### Q: Where can I find more details about Cosmos 1538?
A: Detailed information is available in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian Wikipedia entries.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1538 is significant as part of the Soviet Union's early military satellite program, which played a crucial role in maintaining secure communications for the military. The Strela-2M satellite class was designed to support strategic and tactical communications, ensuring reliable connectivity for defense operations. While the Soviet Union's space program has evolved, satellites like Cosmos 1538 remain part of the historical foundation of modern military communications infrastructure. Understanding these early missions provides context for the development of later satellite technologies.

## Notable For
- **First Launch of Strela-2M**: Cosmos 1538 was one of the first satellites in the Strela-2M series, demonstrating the Soviet Union's capability in military satellite communications.
- **Kosmos-3M Rocket**: The launch vehicle, Kosmos-3M, was a reliable Soviet rocket used for deploying military satellites.
- **Secure Military Communications**: The Strela-2M class was designed for encrypted communications, ensuring secure military operations.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**: The launch site, Plesetsk Cosmodrome, has been a key location for Soviet/Russian military satellite launches.

## Body
### Overview
Cosmos 1538 is a Strela-2M satellite launched on February 21, 1984, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 using a Kosmos-3M rocket. The satellite is part of the Soviet Union's military communications network, designed to support secure and reliable communications for defense purposes.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Type**: Strela-2M (military communications satellite)
- **COSPAR ID**: 1984-019A
- **Launch Mass**: Not specified in the source material
- **Orbit**: Not specified in the source material

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: February 21, 1984
- **Launch Time**: 15:36:00 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132

### Historical Context
The Strela-2M satellite class was part of the Soviet Union's early efforts to establish a military satellite communications network. These satellites were designed to provide secure and encrypted communications for strategic and tactical military operations. The launch of Cosmos 1538 marked a significant step in the Soviet Union's space-based military communications infrastructure.

### Legacy
While the Soviet Union's space program has evolved, satellites like Cosmos 1538 remain part of the historical foundation of modern military communications. The Strela-2M series contributed to the development of later satellite technologies, ensuring secure and reliable communications for defense operations.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report