# Cosmos 2038
**Wikidata**: [Q12753580](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753580)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2038

## Summary
Cosmos 2038 is a Strela-3 military communications satellite launched by the Soviet Union on 14 September 1989 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was deployed aboard a Tsyklon-3 rocket to support Soviet military communication networks.

## Key Facts
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 20232  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1989-074A  
- **Launch Date**: 14 September 1989  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32  
- **Launch Time**: 09:49:06 UTC  
- **Class**: Strela-3 military communications satellite  
- **Aliases**: Kosmos 2038  
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: 3 language editions (Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian)  

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2038?  
A: Cosmos 2038 served as a Strela-3 military communications satellite, designed to support secure communication networks for Soviet government and defense operations.  

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2038 launched?  
A: It was launched on 14 September 1989 at 09:49:06 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 using a Tsyklon-3 rocket.  

### Q: What spacecraft was used to deploy Cosmos 2038?  
A: Cosmos 2038 was deployed using a Tsyklon-3, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle specifically designed for military satellite missions.  

### Q: Is there alternative terminology for this satellite?  
A: Yes, it is also known as Kosmos 2038, with "Kosmos" being the designation prefix for Soviet military satellites.  

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2038 exemplifies the Soviet Union's strategic investment in space-based military infrastructure during the late Cold War era. As part of the Strela-3 constellation, it provided critical secure communications for military command and control systems, enhancing Soviet operational capabilities. Its launch via the Tsyklon-3 rocket underscored the reliability of this Ukrainian-developed platform for national security missions. This satellite contributed to the broader network that enabled real-time coordination for Soviet forces, reflecting the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and military doctrine during a period of heightened global tensions.  

## Notable For
- **Military Classification**: One of the Strela-3 series satellites designed exclusively for Soviet military communications, not civilian use.  
- **Launch Precision**: Deployed on schedule from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32, demonstrating the routine efficiency of Soviet military launch operations.  
- **Cataloging Legacy**: Assigned the standardized COSPAR ID 1989-074A for international satellite tracking and identification.  
- **Multi-Language Documentation**: Documented in Wikipedia across three languages (Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian), indicating regional historical significance.  

## Body  
### Overview  
Cosmos 2038 is a Soviet military communications satellite belonging to the Strela-3 class. It was commissioned to support encrypted military communications, aligning with Cold War-era defense priorities. The satellite operated as part of a constellation dedicated to secure government and military data transmission.  

### Launch Profile  
- **Mission Designation**: Rocket launch event  
- **Launch Date and Time**: 14 September 1989 at 09:49:06 UTC  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable rocket with a proven track record for military satellite deployments  
- **Catalog Identifiers**: SCN 20232, COSPAR ID 1989-074A  
- **Affiliation**: Soviet Union (predecessor state to modern Ukraine/Russia)  

### Technical Classification  
- **Instance Of**: Strela-3 (Ukrainian military communications satellite class)  
- **Function**: Military communications relay for strategic and tactical use  
- **Deployment Method**: Orbited via Tsyklon-3 rocket, a medium-lift launch vehicle optimized for satellite clusters  
- **Geographical Context**: Launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia’s northernmost spaceport, historically pivotal for Soviet defense satellites.  

### Documentation  
- **Sitelinks**: 3 Wikipedia articles (Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian)  
- **External References**: Citable in academic databases via Wolfram Language as Entity["Satellite", "20232"]  
- **Alias Usage**: Alternate designation "Kosmos 2038" reflects Soviet nomenclature for classified space assets.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report