# Cosmos 2068
**Wikidata**: [Q12753594](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753594)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2068

## Summary
Cosmos 2068 was a Soviet Strela-1M military communications satellite launched in 1990 to support radio communications for the Soviet Armed Forces. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket and operated until its decay in 1991. The satellite was part of a constellation designed for store-and-forward messaging in challenging environments.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: April 6, 1990, at 03:13:00 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1990-029E.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 20553.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket (Soviet Union).
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133.
- **Mission Type**: Military communications (Strela-1M class).
- **Decay Date**: December 23, 1991.
- **Country**: Operated by the Soviet Union (later Russia).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Cosmos 2068 launched?
A: Cosmos 2068 was launched on April 6, 1990, at 03:13:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2068?
A: It was a Strela-1M military communications satellite designed to relay radio messages for the Soviet Armed Forces, particularly in remote or hostile territories.

### Q: How long did Cosmos 2068 remain in orbit?
A: The satellite decayed on December 23, 1991, approximately 1 year and 8 months after launch.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2068 represents a critical component of the Soviet Union’s cold war-era military communications infrastructure. As part of the Strela-1M satellite constellation, it enabled secure store-and-forward messaging, which was vital for coordinating operations in areas lacking traditional communication networks. Its launch on a Kosmos-3M rocket highlights the reliability and cost-effectiveness of that launch vehicle, which was widely used for deploying small satellites. The satellite’s relatively short orbital lifespan reflects the design trade-offs of its era, prioritizing functionality over longevity. Cosmos 2068 also underscores the Soviet Union’s emphasis on space-based military assets, a strategy that influenced modern satellite communication systems.

## Notable For
- **Strela-1M Constellation**: Part of a network of satellites providing critical military communications during the Cold War.
- **Kosmos-3M Launch**: Deployed via a rocket known for its high success rate in launching small satellites (1967–2010).
- **Short Orbital Lifespan**: Decayed within 20 months, typical of low-Earth orbit satellites without propulsion for reboosting.
- **Soviet Military Infrastructure**: Exemplified the integration of space assets into Soviet defense strategies.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: April 6, 1990, at 03:13:00 UTC.
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133 (a frequent launch pad for Kosmos-3M missions).
- **Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M (rocket family used for 1,500+ launches, including numerous Strela satellites).

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: Strela-1M (military communications satellite with store-and-forward capabilities).
- **SCN/COSPAR**: 20553 / 1990-029E.
- **Function**: Relayed encrypted radio messages between ground stations, compensating for gaps in terrestrial networks.

### Mission & Decay
- **Operations**: Supported Soviet military communications until orbital decay.
- **Decay Date**: Reentered Earth’s atmosphere on December 23, 1991, concluding its mission.
- **Legacy**: Part of a satellite series that laid groundwork for modern tactical communication systems.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report