# Cosmos 1712
**Wikidata**: [Q12907474](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907474)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1712

## Summary
Cosmos 1712 was a Soviet military satellite launched in 1985 as part of the Kosmos series, a group of satellites used for various military and scientific purposes. It was deployed using a Proton-K rocket and a Blok DM-2 space tug, launching from Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 24, 1985. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 1985-118C and satellite catalog number 16398.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: December 24, 1985, at 21:43:28 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-K rocket with a Blok DM-2 space tug.
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1985-118C.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 16398.
- **Series**: Part of the Kosmos series of Soviet/Russian military satellites.
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian languages.
- **Technical Identifier**: Wolfram Language entity code: `Entity["Satellite", "16398"]`.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Cosmos 1712 launched?
A: Cosmos 1712 was launched on December 24, 1985, at 21:43:28 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1712?
A: As part of the Kosmos series, Cosmos 1712 was a military satellite, though specific mission details (e.g., communications, reconnaissance) are not provided in the source material.

### Q: How was Cosmos 1712 deployed?
A: The satellite was launched using a Proton-K carrier rocket and a Blok DM-2 space tug, a common configuration for Soviet satellites in the 1980s.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1712 represents a typical example of Soviet military satellite technology during the Cold War era. As part of the broader Kosmos program, it contributed to the USSR’s strategic capabilities, though its exact role remains unspecified. The use of the Proton-K rocket and Blok DM-2 space tug highlights the technological infrastructure of Soviet space launches, which were critical for deploying military and civilian satellites. While not individually notable for a historic "first," the satellite reflects the scale and organizational capacity of the Soviet space program during the 1980s.

## Notable For
- **Launch Configuration**: Utilized the Proton-K rocket and Blok DM-2 space tug, a reliable Soviet launch system.
- **Kosmos Series Membership**: Part of a prolific satellite program with over 2,500 launches (as implied by the series’ sitelink count).
- **Multi-Language Documentation**: Recognized in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian Wikipedia entries, indicating regional historical interest.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: December 24, 1985, at 21:43:28 UTC.
- **Location**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200, a key Soviet launch facility.
- **Rocket**: Proton-K (a heavy-lift launch vehicle) paired with a Blok DM-2 upper stage for orbital insertion.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Identifier**: COSPAR ID 1985-118C, SCN 16398.
- **Platform**: Built as part of the Kosmos satellite series, designed for military applications.

### Mission Context
- **Program**: The Kosmos series included satellites for navigation, communications, and reconnaissance, though Cosmos 1712’s specific mission is not detailed in the source material.
- **Historical Significance**: Reflects the Soviet Union’s emphasis on space-based military assets during the 1980s, leveraging proven launch systems like the Proton-K.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report