# Cosmos 1572
**Wikidata**: [Q12907437](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907437)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1572

## Summary
Cosmos 1572 is a Soviet Earth observation satellite launched on June 15, 1984. It belongs to the Resurs-F1 17F41 class and was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The mission contributed to the USSR's remote sensing capabilities during the Cold War era.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 1572
- Alternate name: Kosmos 1572
- COSPAR ID: 1984-060A
- Satellite catalog number (SCN): 15046
- Launch date: June 15, 1984
- Launch time: 08:20:00 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-U
- Spacecraft class: Resurs-F1 17F41
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Wikipedia languages with articles: Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)
- Wolfram Language Entity Code: Entity["Satellite", "15046"]

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1572?
A: Cosmos 1572 was part of the Soviet Resurs program designed for Earth resources monitoring and reconnaissance. As a Resurs-F1 satellite, it likely carried out optical imaging missions for both civilian and military applications.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1572 launched?
A: Cosmos 1572 was launched on June 15, 1984, at 08:20:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 in the Soviet Union. It was placed into orbit using a Soyuz-U carrier rocket.

### Q: How is Cosmos 1572 classified technically?
A: Cosmos 1572 is classified as a Resurs-F1 17F41 type spacecraft. This designation indicates its role within the Soviet Union’s series of Earth-imaging satellites used primarily for resource surveying and intelligence gathering.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1572 represents one stage in the evolution of Soviet space-based Earth observation systems. Satellites like Cosmos 1572 were instrumental in advancing remote sensing technology during the Cold War, supporting national security objectives and contributing to scientific understanding of terrestrial environments. These platforms laid foundational infrastructure for modern satellite imagery services and global surveillance networks. Its inclusion in the broader Resurs program underscores its importance in the development of dual-use technologies that serve both strategic defense needs and civilian applications such as cartography and environmental monitoring.

## Notable For
- Part of the historically significant Resurs-F1 Earth observation satellite program
- Launched during peak activity of the Soviet space program in the mid-1980s
- Operated under the standardized Kosmos naming convention for classified or semi-classified payloads
- Utilized the widely employed Soyuz-U launch system, known for reliability and versatility
- Represents technological continuity in Soviet-era remote sensing efforts leading up to modern Russian Earth-imaging systems

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1572 was a Soviet satellite launched as part of the long-running Kosmos program, which encompassed various military and scientific missions. Classified under the Resurs-F1 17F41 platform, it served purposes aligned with Earth observation and reconnaissance.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft belonged to the Resurs-F1 family, a line of Soviet satellites developed specifically for Earth resources monitoring. These satellites typically featured multispectral cameras and other sensors optimized for surface imaging across large geographic areas.

### Launch Details
- **Date**: June 15, 1984  
- **Time**: 08:20:00 UTC  
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 41  
- **Vehicle**: Soyuz-U  

The Soyuz-U variant was a commonly used expendable launch system derived from the original Soyuz design. It offered moderate payload capacity suitable for placing satellites like Cosmos 1572 into low Earth orbit.

### Orbital and Operational Characteristics
While detailed orbital parameters are not specified in available sources, Resurs-F1 satellites generally operated in near-polar orbits to enable comprehensive coverage of the Earth's surface over multiple passes.

### Legacy and Context
As part of the Kosmos series, Cosmos 1572 reflects the institutionalized approach taken by the Soviet Union toward managing classified and semi-classified space assets. Many missions in this series remain sparsely documented due to their sensitive nature, but they played critical roles in geopolitical intelligence operations and domestic planning initiatives throughout the latter half of the 20th century.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report