# Cosmos 1621
**Wikidata**: [Q12753364](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753364)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1621

## Summary
Cosmos 1621 is a Strela-3 military communications satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1985 to support secure communications for Ukrainian and Soviet forces. It was deployed via a Tsyklon-3 rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, part of a constellation of satellites designed for tactical relay operations. The satellite remains a notable example of Cold War-era space-based military infrastructure.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: January 15, 1985
- **COSPAR ID**: 1985-003E
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 15473
- **Class**: Strela-3 military communications satellite
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3 expendable rocket
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32
- **Launch Time**: 14:50:59 UTC

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1621?
A: Cosmos 1621 was a military communications satellite designed to provide secure relay services for Soviet and Ukrainian forces as part of the Strela-3 constellation.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1621 launched?
A: It was launched on January 15, 1985, at 14:50:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 aboard a Tsyklon-3 rocket.

### Q: Is Cosmos 1621 still operational?
A: The satellite’s operational status is not specified in the source material, but Strela-3 satellites typically had limited lifespans tied to their orbital decay.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1621 represents a critical component of the Soviet Union’s military communications network during the Cold War. As part of the Strela-3 series, it exemplified the strategic reliance on satellite constellations for secure, survivable communications in contested environments. The Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle, used for its deployment, underscored the technological capabilities of the Soviet space program, particularly in rapid, cost-effective satellite delivery. While individual Strela-3 satellites like Cosmos 1621 were not designed for longevity, their collective deployment highlighted the importance of space-based assets in modern military operations, a precedent that continues to shape contemporary defense strategies.

## Notable For
- **Launch Site Specificity**: Deployed from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32, a facility central to Soviet military space operations.
- **Rocket Heritage**: Utilized the Tsyklon-3 launcher, a workhorse for Soviet satellite deployments from 1977 to 2009.
- **Constellation Role**: Contributed to the Strela-3 network, which required multiple satellites for continuous coverage.
- **Era Representation**: Embodied 1980s space technology, reflecting the militarization of space during the Cold War.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: January 15, 1985, at 14:50:59 UTC
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 (a high-latitude launch site optimized for polar orbits)
- **Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3 (a liquid-fueled rocket derived from the R-36 ICBM, modified for satellite launches)

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: Strela-3 (a third-generation military communications satellite)
- **Identifiers**:
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1985-003E
  - **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 15473
- **Mission**: Store-and-forward communications relay for tactical military units

### Mission Context
- **Constellation**: Part of a network of Strela-3 satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO) to ensure global coverage.
- **Operational Period**: Strela-3 satellites typically had short lifespans due to orbital decay, necessitating frequent replenishment launches.
- **Legacy**: The Strela-3 series was succeeded by the Strela-3M and later the Gonets-M constellations, reflecting evolving Russian military communication needs.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report