# Cosmos 2043
**Wikidata**: [Q12907560](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907560)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2043

## Summary
Cosmos 2043 was a Soviet-era Strela-3 military communications satellite launched in 1989 to support secure communications for Ukrainian and Soviet forces. It was deployed as part of a constellation of satellites designed for tactical military communications. The satellite was launched aboard a Tsyklon-3 rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: 1989-09-14 at 09:49:06 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1989-074F.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 20237.
- **Class**: Strela-3 military communications satellite.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3 expendable rocket.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Entity["Satellite", "20237"].

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2043?
A: Cosmos 2043 was a military communications satellite designed to provide secure communication services for Soviet and Ukrainian military operations.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2043 launched?
A: It was launched on September 14, 1989, at 09:49:06 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 in Russia.

### Q: What type of rocket was used to launch Cosmos 2043?
A: The satellite was deployed using a Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable rocket.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2043 played a critical role in maintaining secure military communications during the late Cold War era. As part of the Strela-3 satellite constellation, it enabled reliable data transmission for tactical operations, contributing to the logistical and strategic capabilities of Soviet and Ukrainian forces. The Tsyklon-3 rocket used for its launch was a key component of Soviet space infrastructure, underscoring the satellite’s integration into broader military and space programs. While individual Strela-3 satellites like Cosmos 2043 were not publicly high-profile, their collective operational network was essential for defense communications in the pre-digital satellite era.

## Notable For
- **Military Communications Role**: Part of the Strela-3 constellation supporting tactical military operations.
- **Tsyklon-3 Launch Vehicle**: Utilized a rocket known for deploying satellites and other payloads during the Soviet space program.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Launch**: Originated from a historically significant Russian launch site used for military and civilian missions.
- **Cold War-Era Technology**: Represented 1980s satellite communication capabilities critical to Soviet defense strategies.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: Launched on September 14, 1989, at 09:49:06 UTC.
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32, a facility primarily used for military and government space missions.
- **Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3 rocket, a three-stage launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union and later Ukraine.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: Strela-3, a series of satellites designed for store-and-forward communications, relaying messages between ground stations.
- **Function**: Provided encrypted communication services for military units, enabling coordination over long distances.

### Mission Context
- **Constellation Role**: Operated as one unit within a network of Strela-3 satellites, ensuring continuous communication coverage.
- **Operational Lifespan**: Typical Strela-3 satellites had a design lifespan of approximately 3–5 years, though specific duration for Cosmos 2043 is not detailed in available sources.

### Legacy
- **Historical Significance**: Reflects the reliance of Soviet and Ukrainian military forces on satellite technology during the late 1980s.
- **Technical Heritage**: Part of a satellite lineage that influenced later Ukrainian and Russian communication satellite designs.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report