# Cosmos 1909
**Wikidata**: [Q12753512](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753512)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1909

## Summary  
Cosmos 1909 (also known as Kosmos 1909) is a Strela‑3 military communications satellite launched on 15 January 1988 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 using a Tsyklon‑3 expendable launch vehicle. It carries the COSPAR identifier 1988‑002A and the Satellite Catalog Number 18788.

## Key Facts  
- **Satellite type:** Strela‑3 military communications satellite (Ukrainian).【source】  
- **Launch date:** 15 January 1988 (03:49:21 UTC).【source】  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 32, Russia.【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Tsyklon‑3 expendable rocket.【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1988‑002A.【source】  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 18788.【source】  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 1909.【source】  
- **Related classes:** Strela‑3 (satellite class) and Tsyklon‑3 (launch‑vehicle class).【source】  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr).【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: What kind of satellite is Cosmos 1909?  
A: Cosmos 1909 is a Strela‑3 military communications satellite, part of a Ukrainian series designed for secure communications.  

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1909 launched?  
A: It was launched on 15 January 1988 at 03:49:21 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.  

### Q: Which launch vehicle carried Cosmos 1909 into orbit?  
A: The satellite was placed into orbit by a Tsyklon‑3 expendable launch vehicle.  

### Q: What are the official identifiers for Cosmos 1909?  
A: Its COSPAR ID is 1988‑002A and its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 18788.  

### Q: Does Cosmos 1909 have any other names?  
A: Yes, it is also referred to as Kosmos 1909.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 1909 exemplifies the Cold‑War era collaboration between Soviet and Ukrainian aerospace industries, showcasing the deployment of dedicated military communications assets. As a Strela‑3 satellite, it contributed to a constellation that provided secure, store‑and‑forward messaging for armed forces, enhancing command‑and‑control capabilities across vast distances. Its launch on a Tsyklon‑3 vehicle underscores the reliability of Soviet‑era expendable rockets for placing payloads into low‑Earth orbit. Understanding Cosmos 1909 helps illustrate the evolution of military satellite technology, the strategic importance of communications constellations, and the legacy of Soviet‑Ukrainian space cooperation that informs modern satellite design and deployment practices.  

## Notable For  
- Being a member of the Strela‑3 series, a key Ukrainian military communications satellite family.  
- Launching aboard a Tsyklon‑3, one of the most frequently used Soviet expendable launchers.  
- Carrying the COSPAR designation 1988‑002A, marking it as the second orbital object cataloged in 1988.  
- Having multiple language Wikipedia entries (mk, sh, sr), indicating international interest and documentation.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 1909 (Kosmos 1909) is classified as an instance of the **Strela‑3** satellite class. Strela‑3 satellites are designed for military communications, providing secure, store‑and‑forward messaging capabilities for the armed forces of the former Soviet Union and Ukraine.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 15 January 1988, 03:49:21 UTC.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 32, a major Russian launch complex.  
- **Vehicle:** Tsyklon‑3, an expendable launch vehicle developed jointly by Soviet and Ukrainian engineers.  
- **Event:** The launch is recorded as a significant rocket‑launch event at the specified site and time.

### Identification Numbers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1988‑002A – the international designator assigned to the launch.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 18788 – the tracking number used by space‑object catalogs.  

### Classification & Relationships  
- **Instance of:** Strela‑3 (military communications satellite).  
- **Related classes:**  
  - **Strela‑3** – the satellite family to which Cosmos 1909 belongs.  
  - **Tsyklon‑3** – the launch‑vehicle class used for its deployment.  

### Language and Documentation  
Cosmos 1909 is documented in three Wikipedia language editions: Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr), reflecting its relevance across different regional audiences.

### Technical Context (Wolfram Language)  
In Wolfram Language, the satellite is referenced as `Entity["Satellite", "18788"]`, enabling programmatic access to its orbital and physical parameters.  

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*All statements are derived directly from the provided source material and referenced accordingly.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report