# Cosmos 2242

> soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q12753676](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753676)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2242

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Cosmos 2242**:

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## Summary  
Cosmos 2242 was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched in 1993 as part of the Tselina-R program. It was designed to intercept electronic signals and operated in low Earth orbit. The satellite was launched aboard a Tsyklon-3 rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** April 16, 1993  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1993-024A  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 22626  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Tsyklon-3  
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32  
- **Class:** Tselina-R (Soviet signals intelligence satellite)  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 2242  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch at 07:49:00 UTC on April 16, 1993  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2242?  
A: Cosmos 2242 was a signals intelligence (SIGINT) satellite designed to intercept and analyze electronic communications for military and strategic purposes.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 2242 launched from?  
A: It was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 in Russia, a primary site for Soviet and later Russian military satellite launches.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 2242?  
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Tsyklon-3, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 2242 was part of the Tselina-R program, a critical Soviet and later Russian effort to monitor electronic signals for defense and intelligence purposes. These satellites played a key role in Cold War-era espionage, providing real-time data on military communications and radar systems. The launch of Cosmos 2242 reflects the continued investment in space-based reconnaissance even after the Soviet Union's dissolution, highlighting the strategic importance of signals intelligence in global security.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Significance:** As a Tselina-R satellite, it contributed to Soviet/Russian electronic intelligence capabilities.  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Used the Tsyklon-3, a reliable workhorse for Soviet satellite deployments.  
- **Historical Context:** Launched during the transitional period post-Soviet Union, underscoring the continuity of military space programs.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date:** April 16, 1993  
- **Time:** 07:49:00 UTC  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32  
- **Vehicle:** Tsyklon-3  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class:** Tselina-R (signals intelligence)  
- **Orbit:** Low Earth Orbit (exact parameters not specified in source)  
- **Catalog Number:** 22626  

### Program Context  
- Part of the Tselina-R series, a successor to earlier Soviet SIGINT satellites.  
- Demonstrated the enduring role of space-based intelligence gathering in the post-Cold War era.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report