# Cosmos 1798
**Wikidata**: [Q12753457](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753457)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1798

## Summary
Cosmos 1798 is a Soviet military communications satellite launched on November 21, 1986. It belongs to the Strela-1M class of low-Earth orbit communication systems and was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-3M rocket.

## Key Facts
- COSPAR ID: 1986-092E
- SCN (Satellite Catalog Number): 17142
- Launch date: November 21, 1986
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket
- Satellite class: Strela-1M
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Alternate name: Kosmos 1798
- Launch time: 02:00 UTC
- Wikipedia languages with articles: Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)

## FAQs
### Q: What is Cosmos 1798?
A: Cosmos 1798 is a Soviet-era military communications satellite belonging to the Strela-1M series. It was launched on November 21, 1986, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

### Q: When was Cosmos 1798 launched?
A: Cosmos 1798 was launched on November 21, 1986, at 02:00 UTC. The launch took place from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 using a Kosmos-3M carrier rocket.

### Q: What kind of satellite is Cosmos 1798?
A: Cosmos 1798 is part of the Strela-1M class of satellites, which were designed for secure military communications in low Earth orbit. These satellites typically functioned as store-and-forward communication relays.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1798 represents one component of the Soviet Union's strategic military space infrastructure during the later years of the Cold War. As part of the Strela-1M program, it contributed to enhancing secure tactical communications capabilities across dispersed military units. Its deployment reflects the USSR’s continued investment in space-based command and control systems even amid political and economic pressures. Understanding missions like Cosmos 1798 provides insight into how global powers leveraged space technology for national defense purposes during the latter half of the 20th century.

## Notable For
- Part of the operational Strela-1M constellation used by Soviet/Russian forces
- Launched during a period of renewed activity in Soviet military satellite deployments
- Represents an evolution in small-scale, tactical military satellite design
- One of multiple payloads launched under the “Kosmos” cover designation
- Demonstrates use of the reliable Kosmos-3M launch system for classified payloads

## Body

### Mission Overview
Cosmos 1798 was a military communications satellite operated by the Soviet Union. Classified under the "Kosmos" naming convention often applied to sensitive or experimental missions, it supported strategic communication needs within the Soviet armed forces.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft belonged to the **Strela-1M** class, a group of low-orbit communication satellites developed specifically for military applications. These satellites were successors to earlier models in the Strela program and featured improved signal handling and data relay capabilities.

### Launch Details
- **Date:** November 21, 1986  
- **Time:** 02:00 UTC  
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132  
- **Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M (serial number unknown)  

This launch marked another routine but critical insertion of a tactical asset into orbit, supporting ongoing operations throughout the final decade of the Cold War.

### Operational Context
As part of the broader Strela network, Cosmos 1798 likely participated in store-and-forward messaging services between ground stations and mobile units. Designed for robustness and simplicity, these satellites enabled secure, jam-resistant communication links essential for battlefield coordination and logistics management.

### Legacy and Status
While detailed post-launch tracking information is limited due to the classified nature of its mission, Cosmos 1798 remains catalogued internationally via identifiers such as its COSPAR ID (1986-092E) and NORAD catalog number (SCN: 17142). Like many other satellites in its class, it eventually reentered Earth’s atmosphere after completing its operational lifespan.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report