# Cosmos 1542
**Wikidata**: [Q12753327](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753327)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1542

## Summary  
Cosmos 1542 was a Soviet spy satellite launched in 1984 as part of the Zenit 6U reconnaissance program. It was carried into orbit by a Soyuz-U2 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The satellite was designed for military surveillance and intelligence-gathering purposes.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: March 7, 1984 ([source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1984-025A ([source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200386))  
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit 6U, a Soviet reconnaissance satellite ([source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U2 rocket ([source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 ([source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Spacecraft Catalog Number**: 14793 ([source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 ([source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 14793 ([source](https://www.wolfram.com/language/))  
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch at 08:00:00 UTC on March 7, 1984 ([source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1542?  
A: Cosmos 1542 was a military reconnaissance satellite designed for surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions under the Zenit 6U program.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 1542 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, a major Soviet spaceport located in Kazakhstan.  

### Q: What rocket carried Cosmos 1542 into orbit?  
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz-U2 rocket, a variant of the Soyuz family known for its reliability in Soviet space missions.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1542 represents a critical component of Cold War-era Soviet military strategy, providing essential reconnaissance capabilities during heightened geopolitical tensions. As part of the Zenit 6U program, it contributed to the USSR's ability to monitor global military activities, reinforcing national security. The use of the Soyuz-U2 rocket underscores the technological advancements of Soviet spaceflight, which remain influential in modern launch systems. Understanding satellites like Cosmos 1542 helps contextualize the evolution of space-based surveillance and its enduring impact on defense and intelligence operations.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Role**: Operated as a key reconnaissance asset for the Soviet Union during the Cold War.  
- **Launch Precision**: Deployed via Soyuz-U2, a rocket renowned for its reliability in Soviet space missions.  
- **Historical Context**: Part of a broader series of Zenit satellites that shaped Cold War espionage tactics.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: March 7, 1984  
- **Time**: 08:00:00 UTC  
- **Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Zenit 6U  
- **Catalog Number**: 14793  

### Mission Context  
- **Primary Function**: Military reconnaissance  
- **Program**: Zenit, a series of Soviet surveillance satellites  

### Related Entities  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U2  
- **Operator**: Soviet Space Program

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report