# Cosmos 1704
**Wikidata**: [Q12907472](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907472)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1704

## Summary
Cosmos 1704 was a Soviet Parus-class satellite launched on November 28, 1985, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-3M rocket. It was assigned the international designation 1985-110A and the catalog number 16291. The satellite operated as part of the Soviet Parus navigation and communications system.

## Key Facts
- Launch date: November 28, 1985, at 13:12:41 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 133
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket
- Satellite class: Parus (Парус)
- International designation: 1985-110A
- Catalog number: 16291
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Mission type: Navigation and communications satellite

## FAQs
### Q: What was Cosmos 1704?
A: Cosmos 1704 was a Soviet Parus-class navigation and communications satellite launched in 1985 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was part of the Soviet Union's military satellite navigation system.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 1704 launched?
A: Cosmos 1704 was launched on November 28, 1985, at 13:12:41 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133 using a Kosmos-3M rocket.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1704?
A: Cosmos 1704 served as a navigation and communications satellite in the Soviet Parus system, which was used for military and maritime navigation purposes.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1704 represents a significant component of the Soviet Union's military satellite navigation infrastructure during the Cold War era. As part of the Parus system, it contributed to the Soviet military's ability to provide accurate positioning and timing information for naval vessels and other assets. The successful deployment of Cosmos 1704 demonstrated the reliability of the Kosmos-3M launch vehicle and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome as a strategic launch site for military satellites. This satellite, along with others in the Parus constellation, played a crucial role in enhancing the Soviet Union's maritime capabilities and maintaining strategic parity with Western navigation systems. The technology and experience gained from missions like Cosmos 1704 laid the groundwork for future developments in satellite navigation and communications.

## Notable For
- Part of the Soviet Parus navigation and communications satellite system
- Launched using the reliable Kosmos-3M rocket, which had a high success rate
- Operated from the strategically important Plesetsk Cosmodrome
- Contributed to Soviet military maritime navigation capabilities
- Represented the Soviet Union's advancement in satellite-based navigation technology

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Cosmos 1704 was a Parus-class satellite, which was a specialized type of Soviet military satellite designed for navigation and communications purposes. The Parus system was the Soviet equivalent to Western navigation satellite systems, providing positioning and timing data to naval vessels and other military assets.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on November 28, 1985, at precisely 13:12:41 UTC from Site 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The Plesetsk Cosmodrome, located in northern Russia, was the primary launch site for Soviet military satellites, offering a strategic location that allowed for launches into various orbits while maintaining operational security.

### Launch Vehicle
Cosmos 1704 was carried into orbit by a Kosmos-3M rocket, a reliable two-stage launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union. The Kosmos-3M was known for its versatility and was used extensively for launching lighter payloads into low Earth orbit, particularly for military and scientific missions.

### International Designations
Following international conventions, the satellite was assigned the designation 1985-110A, indicating it was the first (A) object launched in the 110th launch of 1985. It was also given the catalog number 16291 by the US Space Command for tracking purposes.

### Operational Role
As a Parus satellite, Cosmos 1704 was part of a constellation designed to provide continuous navigation and communications support. The Parus system was crucial for Soviet naval operations, offering accurate positioning data that was essential for both strategic and tactical military applications.

### Legacy
The successful deployment and operation of Cosmos 1704 contributed to the Soviet Union's space capabilities and its ability to maintain a robust military satellite network. The experience gained from this and similar missions informed future developments in satellite technology and launch operations, both in the Soviet Union and in the post-Soviet space industry.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report