# Cosmos 1656
**Wikidata**: [Q12907459](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907459)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1656

## Summary
Cosmos 1656 was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched on May 30, 1985. As part of the Tselina-2 class of spacecraft, it was designed to intercept electronic signals and telemetry. The satellite was deployed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Proton-K carrier rocket equipped with a Blok DM-2 space tug.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** May 30, 1985 (Time: 14:59:00)
- **COSPAR ID:** 1985-042A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 15755
- **Classification:** Tselina-2 (signals intelligence satellite)
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K carrier rocket
- **Space Tug:** Blok DM-2
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200
- **Instance Of:** Tselina-2 satellite model
- **Also Known As:** Kosmos 1656

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary function of Cosmos 1656?
A: Cosmos 1656 was a signals intelligence (SIGINT) satellite. As part of the Tselina-2 class, its primary role was to intercept and monitor electronic signals and communications from orbit.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1656?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Proton-K carrier rocket. This Russian (formerly Soviet) heavy-lift rocket was a common launch vehicle for military and intelligence payloads during that era.

### Q: Where was Cosmos 1656 launched from?
A: The satellite was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200, a major spaceport located in Kazakhstan that was the primary launch site for the Soviet space program.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1656 represents a specific instance of the Soviet Union's extensive Tselina-2 program, a critical component of Cold War-era intelligence gathering. These satellites were vital for monitoring the electronic emissions of potential adversaries, providing strategic data on military capabilities and communications. The deployment of Cosmos 1656 demonstrates the sophistication of Soviet aerospace engineering at the time, specifically the integration of the Proton-K launch vehicle with the Blok DM-2 space tug. This upper stage was essential for precisely inserting heavy intelligence payloads into the required high-altitude orbits, illustrating the technical complexity required for signals intelligence operations in the mid-1980s.

## Notable For
- **Intelligence Gathering:** Being a dedicated signals intelligence (SIGINT) platform (Tselina-2 class).
- **Launch Configuration:** Utilizing the combination of a Proton-K rocket and a Blok DM-2 space tug.
- **Specific Launch Data:** Having a precisely recorded launch time of 14:59:00 on May 30, 1985.
- **Launch Facility:** Being deployed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200, a strategic location for Soviet heavy-lift launches.

## Body

### Classification and Function
Cosmos 1656 is officially classified as an instance of the **Tselina-2**, a model of Soviet signals intelligence satellite. These spacecraft were designed to gather electronic intelligence (ELINT) by detecting and locating radar systems, communications, and other electronic emissions. The "Cosmos" designation was a standard Soviet practice used to obscure the military nature of such satellites.

### Launch Specifications
The satellite was successfully launched on **May 30, 1985**, utilizing a **Proton-K** carrier rocket. The Proton-K was a heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union, frequently used for placing large military and scientific payloads into orbit. To achieve the precise orbit required for signals intelligence, the launch stack included a **Blok DM-2** space tug, which acted as an upper stage to finalize the orbital insertion.

### Mission Timeline
The defining significant event for this entity was the rocket launch occurring at **14:59:00** on May 30, 1985. The launch originated from the **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200**, a specifically equipped launch complex within the Baikonur spaceport capable of supporting the Proton-K vehicle.

### Identifiers
For international tracking and cataloging, the satellite is identified by the **COSPAR ID 1985-042A** and the **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 15755**. These identifiers uniquely distinguish Cosmos 1656 in global space object databases.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report