# Cosmos 1856
**Wikidata**: [Q12907513](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907513)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1856

## Summary  
Cosmos 1856 (also written Kosmos 1856) is a Soviet‑era Strela‑1M communications satellite that was launched on 16 June 1987 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle.

## Key Facts  
- **Satellite type:** Strela‑1M (instance of Strela‑1M)【Q6272367】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1987‑051E【Q200386】  
- **Spacecraft number (SCN):** 18117【Q6272367】  
- **Launch date and time:** 16 June 1987 at 17:51 UTC【Q6272367】  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132【Q6272367】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M rocket (Soviet‑Union‑built)【Q6272367】  
- **Alternate name:** Kosmos 1856 (alias)【Q6272367】  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)【source】  
- **Wolfram Language entity code:** `Entity["Satellite", "18117"]`【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Cosmos 1856 launched?  
**A:** Cosmos 1856 was launched on 16 June 1987 at 17:51 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.  

### Q: What class of satellite is Cosmos 1856?  
**A:** It belongs to the Strela‑1M class of Soviet communications satellites.  

### Q: Which rocket carried Cosmos 1856 into orbit?  
**A:** The satellite was launched aboard a Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle, a work‑horse rocket of the Soviet space program.  

### Q: What is the COSPAR identifier for Cosmos 1856?  
**A:** Its international designator is 1987‑051E.  

### Q: Does Cosmos 1856 have any other names?  
**A:** Yes, it is also known by the alias “Kosmos 1856.”  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1856 illustrates the Soviet Union’s extensive use of the Strela‑1M satellite series to maintain a low‑Earth‑orbit communications network during the late Cold War period. By deploying a Strela‑1M on a reliable Kosmos‑3M launcher from the strategically positioned Plesetsk Cosmodrome, the USSR demonstrated both its launch capability and its commitment to sustaining orbital assets for military and governmental messaging. Each satellite in this series contributed to a constellation that provided rapid, store‑and‑forward communications across the vast Soviet territory, supporting command‑and‑control operations and data relay. Understanding Cosmos 1856’s launch parameters, classification, and technical identifiers helps researchers trace the evolution of Soviet satellite technology, assess launch reliability trends of the Kosmos‑3M vehicle, and contextualize the broader architecture of Cold‑War space infrastructure.  

## Notable For  
- First Strela‑1M satellite launched on 16 June 1987 (specific launch date recorded).  
- Utilized the Kosmos‑3M rocket, a workhorse of Soviet orbital insertions.  
- Launched from the less‑publicized Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, highlighting the site’s operational role.  
- Assigned the unique SCN 18117 and COSPAR ID 1987‑051E for precise tracking.  
- Listed in multiple Wikipedia language editions, indicating cross‑regional interest.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 1856 is a Soviet‑built Strela‑1M satellite, part of a series designed for low‑Earth‑orbit communications. It carries the alternate designation “Kosmos 1856” and is catalogued under SCN 18117.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 16 June 1987, 17:51 UTC.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132, a northern Russian launch complex.  
- **Vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M, a two‑stage launch rocket developed by the Soviet Union.  
- **Event:** Recorded as a “rocket launch” event at the specified site and time.

### Classification & Identification  
- **Instance of:** Strela‑1M (satellite class).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1987‑051E, the international identifier used for tracking.  
- **SCN:** 18117, the internal satellite catalog number.  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1856.  

### Related Systems  
- **Strela‑1M class:** The satellite’s design lineage, used for communications.  
- **Kosmos‑3M rocket:** The launch vehicle, representative of Soviet launch capabilities.  

### Documentation & References  
- Primary data sourced from Wikidata entries (references Q6272367 and Q200386).  
- Language coverage includes Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, and Serbian Wikipedia pages.  
- Wolfram Language entity code provides a programmatic reference for computational use.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report