# Cosmos 1548
**Wikidata**: [Q13566653](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566653)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1548

## Summary  
Cosmos 1548 (also written Kosmos 1548) was a Soviet‑built Yantar‑4K2 optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 10 April 1984 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz‑U launch vehicle. It carried the international designation 1984‑036A and was part of the USSR’s extensive spy‑satellite programme.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 10 April 1984 (14:00 UTC)【source】  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 41, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Soyuz‑U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz family【source】  
- **Satellite class:** Yantar‑4K2, a Soviet/Russian optical reconnaissance (spy) satellite series【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1984‑036A【source】  
- **Space‑craft number (SCN):** 14902 in the Wolfram Language satellite database【source】  
- **Alias:** Kosmos 1548 (alternative transliteration)【source】  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch recorded as a notable event on the launch date and site【source】  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)【source】

## FAQs  

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1548?  
**A:** Cosmos 1548 was an optical reconnaissance satellite designed to capture imagery for Soviet military and intelligence purposes as part of the Yantar‑4K2 series.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1548 launched?  
**A:** It was launched on 10 April 1984 at 14:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 41, using a Soyuz‑U launch vehicle.

### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 1548 classified as?  
**A:** It is classified as a Yantar‑4K2 satellite, a class of Soviet/Russian spy satellites built for Earth‑observation and reconnaissance missions.

### Q: What is the international identifier for Cosmos 1548?  
**A:** Its COSPAR (International Designator) ID is 1984‑036A.

### Q: Which launch vehicle carried Cosmos 1548 into orbit?  
**A:** The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz‑U rocket, a universal variant of the long‑standing Soyuz family.

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1548 represents a key node in the Cold‑War era Soviet reconnaissance architecture. As a Yantar‑4K2 platform, it contributed to the USSR’s ability to gather high‑resolution optical imagery of strategic locations worldwide, informing military planning and diplomatic negotiations. The launch from Plesetsk using the reliable Soyuz‑U underscored the Soviet Union’s mature launch infrastructure and its capacity to sustain a steady flow of intelligence assets. Understanding Cosmos 1548 helps illustrate the evolution of satellite‑based surveillance, the technical lineage of the Yantar series, and the broader geopolitical context in which space became a pivotal arena for intelligence gathering.

## Notable For  
- **Yantar‑4K2 class:** One of the later, more capable generations of Soviet optical reconnaissance satellites.  
- **Soyuz‑U launch:** Utilised the universal Soyuz‑U variant, highlighting the flexibility of the Soyuz family for military payloads.  
- **Plesetsk launch site:** Demonstrated the strategic use of the northern Plesetsk Cosmodrome for polar‑orbiting reconnaissance missions.  
- **International designation:** Assigned COSPAR ID 1984‑036A, linking it to the global satellite cataloguing system.  
- **Multilingual documentation:** Recorded in several Wikipedia language editions (mk, sh, sr), reflecting its relevance across different regions.

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 1548 (Kosmos 1548) was part of the Soviet Union’s Yantar‑4K2 series of optical reconnaissance satellites. These satellites were designed to capture high‑resolution photographic imagery from low‑Earth orbit for military intelligence.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 10 April 1984, 14:00 UTC.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 41, a primary launch complex for polar‑orbiting payloads.  
- **Vehicle:** Soyuz‑U, a universal variant of the Soyuz launch system, known for its reliability and ability to place medium‑mass payloads into low‑Earth orbit.  

### Satellite Classification  
- **Class:** Yantar‑4K2, a subclass of the broader Yantar family.  
- **Function:** Optical reconnaissance (photographic imaging).  
- **Identifiers:**  
  - **COSPAR ID:** 1984‑036A.  
  - **Space‑craft Number (SCN):** 14902 (Wolfram Language entity code).  

### Technical Context  
The Yantar‑4K2 platform incorporated improvements over earlier Yantar models, such as enhanced camera systems and longer mission durations. The use of the Soyuz‑U launch vehicle allowed the Soviet space program to efficiently deploy these satellites from the high‑latitude Plesetsk site, optimizing coverage of northern latitudes and providing timely intelligence.

### Related Systems  
- **Yantar‑4K2 class:** The broader class includes multiple Cosmos‑designated satellites, each serving similar reconnaissance roles.  
- **Soyuz‑U rocket:** A versatile launch vehicle employed for both civilian and military payloads throughout the 1970s and 1980s.  

### Legacy  
Cosmos 1548 contributed to the continuity of Soviet reconnaissance capabilities during a period of intense geopolitical tension. Its successful deployment demonstrated the integration of mature launch technology with advanced imaging payloads, a combination that set the stage for later satellite reconnaissance developments.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report