# Cosmos 1617
**Wikidata**: [Q12907448](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907448)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1617

## Summary
Cosmos 1617 was a Soviet military communications satellite launched on January 15, 1985. It belonged to the Strela-3 class of satellites and was deployed using a Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle. The satellite was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 and is identified by the international designator 1985-003A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 1617 is an instance of the Strela-3 class, which is a type of Ukrainian military communications satellite.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on January 15, 1985.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered to orbit by a Tsyklon-3 expendable launch vehicle.
- **Launch Site:** The launch took place at Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international identifier is 1985-003A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It holds the catalog number 15469.
- **Launch Event:** The specific rocket launch occurred at 14:50:59 on January 15, 1985.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as Kosmos 1617.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1617?
A: Cosmos 1617 was a Strela-3 satellite, a class used for Ukrainian military communications.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 1617 launched?
A: It was launched on January 15, 1985, at 14:50:59, using a Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle.

### Q: Where did the launch of Cosmos 1617 take place?
A: The satellite launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1617 serves as a historical data point in the timeline of Cold War-era space infrastructure. As part of the Strela-3 constellation, it represents the technological capabilities of Soviet and Ukrainian aerospace engineering during the mid-1980s, specifically in the domain of secure military communications. The launch demonstrates the operational use of the Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle, a significant piece of Soviet/Ukrainian rocketry, and highlights the heavy utilization of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome for defense-related payloads. By cataloging entities like Cosmos 1617 with precise identifiers such as COSPAR ID 1985-003A and SCN 15469, space agencies and historians maintain an accurate record of orbital objects, which is essential for tracking space debris and understanding the history of orbital deployments. Its existence helps researchers quantify the scale and frequency of military satellite launches during this period.

## Notable For
- Being a specific unit within the Strela-3 military communications satellite constellation.
- Utilizing the Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle, a prominent Soviet/Ukrainian rocket.
- Launching from the specifically designated Site 32 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
- Possessing a precise recorded launch time of 14:50:59.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Classification
Cosmos 1617 was an artificial satellite operating under the Soviet Kosmos designation program. Structurally and functionally, it was an instance of the **Strela-3** class. The Strela-3 system is categorized as a Ukrainian military communications satellite network. These satellites were designed to provide communication capabilities for military users.

### Launch Details
The satellite successfully achieved orbit on **January 15, 1985**. The mission was executed using a **Tsyklon-3** rocket, an expendable launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union and later associated with Ukraine.

**Key Launch Parameters:**
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32
- **Exact Time:** 14:50:59
- **Event:** Rocket launch

### Identifiers and Records
Cosmos 1617 is tracked in various international databases and knowledge graphs using the following identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1985-003A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 15469
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/121zplyz
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "15469"]

The satellite is also referenced under the alias **Kosmos 1617** in various language databases, including Hungarian, Macedonian, and Serbian Wikipedia entries.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report