# Cosmos 1703
**Wikidata**: [Q12753405](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753405)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1703

## Summary
Cosmos 1703 was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched in 1985 as part of the Tselina-D program. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Tsyklon-3 rocket and operated under the COSPAR ID 1985-108A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: A Tselina-D class signals intelligence (SIGINT) satellite.
- **Launch Date**: November 22, 1985, at 22:20:00 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1985-108A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 16262.
- **Aliases**: Also known as Kosmos 1703.
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: `Entity["Satellite", "16262"]`.

## FAQs

**What type of satellite was Cosmos 1703?**
Cosmos 1703 was a Tselina-D class signals intelligence (SIGINT) satellite, designed for electronic surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions.

**When and where was Cosmos 1703 launched?**
It was launched on November 22, 1985, at 22:20:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 in the Soviet Union.

**What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1703?**
The satellite was launched using a Tsyklon-3 rocket, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle known for its reliability in deploying military and scientific payloads.

**What is the significance of the COSPAR ID 1985-108A?**
The COSPAR ID (1985-108A) is an international designation assigned to Cosmos 1703, uniquely identifying it in global satellite catalogs for tracking and reference purposes.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1703 played a role in the Soviet Union's Cold War-era signals intelligence capabilities, contributing to electronic surveillance and military reconnaissance. As part of the Tselina-D program, it represented a critical component of Soviet space-based intelligence infrastructure, enhancing the country's ability to monitor communications and electronic emissions. Its successful deployment and operation demonstrated the reliability of the Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome's capabilities, reinforcing the Soviet space program's technical prowess.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Tselina-D series, a dedicated line of Soviet SIGINT satellites.
- Its precise launch time (22:20:00 UTC) and location (Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32), highlighting the operational efficiency of Soviet space missions.
- The use of the Tsyklon-3 rocket, a workhorse of the Soviet and later Ukrainian space programs.
- Its inclusion in international satellite catalogs under COSPAR ID 1985-108A and SCN 16262, ensuring its place in historical records of space exploration.

## Body

### Overview
Cosmos 1703 was a Soviet military satellite launched under the Tselina-D program, which focused on signals intelligence (SIGINT). These satellites were designed to intercept and analyze electronic communications, providing critical data for military and strategic purposes during the Cold War.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on **November 22, 1985**, at **22:20:00 UTC** from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32**, a major launch facility in northern Russia. The launch vehicle was the **Tskylon-3 rocket**, a three-stage expendable launch system developed by the Soviet Union and later Ukraine. The Tsyklon-3 was renowned for its reliability and was frequently used for deploying military and scientific satellites.

### Technical Specifications
- **COSPAR ID**: 1985-108A (an international identifier for tracking satellites).
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 16262 (a unique numerical identifier in the U.S. Space Command's satellite catalog).
- **Class**: Tselina-D, a specific model of SIGINT satellite optimized for electronic surveillance.

### Mission and Purpose
As a Tselina-D satellite, Cosmos 1703 was tasked with monitoring and collecting electronic signals, including communications, radar emissions, and other electronic data. This information was vital for Soviet military intelligence, providing insights into adversary activities and enhancing national security during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.

### Related Entities
- **Tselina-D**: The class of signals intelligence satellites to which Cosmos 1703 belonged. These satellites were part of a broader Soviet effort to develop space-based reconnaissance capabilities.
- **Tskylon-3**: The launch vehicle used for Cosmos 1703, highlighting its role in Soviet and Ukrainian space missions. The Tsyklon-3 was a derivative of the earlier Tsyklon-2 and was capable of delivering payloads to low Earth orbit.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32**: The launch site, one of the most active in the Soviet space program, particularly for military and reconnaissance missions.

### Historical Context
The launch of Cosmos 1703 occurred during the late Cold War, a period marked by intense competition between the Soviet Union and the United States in space technology and military capabilities. The Tselina-D program was a direct response to the need for advanced signals intelligence, reflecting the strategic importance of space-based surveillance in modern warfare.

### Legacy
While specific operational details of Cosmos 1703 remain classified, its successful deployment contributed to the Soviet Union's broader SIGINT infrastructure. The satellite's mission underscored the role of space technology in intelligence gathering, a practice that continues to be a cornerstone of modern military and security operations. The use of the Tsyklon-3 rocket and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome further cemented their reputations as reliable components of the Soviet space program.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report