# Cosmos 1971
**Wikidata**: [Q13566742](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566742)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1971

## Summary
Cosmos 1971 is a Soviet-era GLONASS navigation satellite launched in 1988 as part of the original GLONASS constellation. It was deployed to provide global positioning capabilities for military and civilian use, forming part of Russia's satellite navigation system. The satellite was launched aboard a Proton-K rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: September 16, 1988, at 02:00:47 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1988-085B.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 19502.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-K rocket with a Blok DM-2 space tug.
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.
- **Classification**: Part of the original GLONASS satellite family.
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr) languages.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 1971?
A: Cosmos 1971 was a navigation satellite designed to provide positioning, navigation, and timing services as part of the Soviet/Russian GLONASS system.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1971 launched?
A: It launched on September 16, 1988, at 02:00:47 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 in Kazakhstan.

### Q: What rocket was used to deploy Cosmos 1971?
A: The satellite was launched using a Proton-K carrier rocket, equipped with a Blok DM-2 upper stage.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1971 played a critical role in expanding the GLONASS navigation network, a Soviet and later Russian alternative to the U.S. GPS system. As part of the original GLONASS constellation, it contributed to global satellite navigation capabilities, supporting both military operations and civilian infrastructure. Its launch during the late Cold War era underscored the strategic importance of space-based navigation systems for geopolitical and technological competitiveness. The satellite’s deployment also demonstrated advancements in Soviet rocketry, particularly the reliability of the Proton-K launch vehicle, which was a cornerstone of Soviet space infrastructure. By enhancing navigation accuracy and coverage, Cosmos 1971 helped pave the way for modern location-based technologies that underpin contemporary logistics, telecommunications, and defense systems.

## Notable For
- **Early GLONASS Component**: One of the first-generation satellites in the GLONASS network, establishing Russia’s independent satellite navigation framework.
- **Proton-K Rocket Deployment**: Utilized the powerful Proton-K launch vehicle, a workhorse of Soviet and Russian space programs.
- **Blok DM-2 Upper Stage**: Employed the Blok DM-2 space tug for orbital insertion, a critical component for precise satellite placement.
- **Baikonur Launch Heritage**: Launched from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome, a key site for Soviet and Russian space activities.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: Lifted off on September 16, 1988, at 02:00:47 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-K (GRAU index 11A410), a heavy-lift rocket with over 300 successful launches.
- **Upper Stage**: Blok DM-2 (GRAU index 11B258), a liquid-fueled propulsion module used for geostationary and high-orbit insertions.
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200/39, a launch pad specifically designed for Proton rocket operations.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Mission Type**: Navigation satellite for the GLONASS system (Global Navigation Satellite System).
- **SCN/COSPAR IDs**: Assigned satellite catalog number 19502 and international designator 1988-085B.
- **Constellation Role**: Contributed to the 24-satellite GLONASS network, providing global coverage for navigation signals.

### Mission Context
- **Historical Significance**: Part of the Soviet Union’s efforts to develop a self-reliant satellite navigation system amid Cold War rivalries with the U.S. GPS program.
- **Technical Legacy**: The Proton-K/Blok DM-2 combination was widely used for deploying GLONASS satellites, ensuring consistent orbital placement.
- **Multilingual Documentation**: Featured in Wikipedia editions for Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian languages, reflecting international interest in Soviet space history.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report