# Cosmos 2253
**Wikidata**: [Q12753682](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753682)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2253

## Summary  
Cosmos 2253 (also known as Kosmos 2253) is a Russian Strela‑3 military communications satellite. It was launched on 24 June 1993 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Tsyklon‑3 expendable launch vehicle.

## Key Facts  
- **Satellite type:** Strela‑3 military communications satellite【instance_of】.  
- **Launch date:** 24 June 1993 (04:12:41 UTC)【launch_date】.  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 32【start_point】.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Tsyklon‑3 rocket【launch_vehicle】.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1993‑038B【cospar_id】.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 22688【scn】.  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 2253【aliases】.  
- **Related classes:** Strela‑3 (Ukrainian military communications satellite) and Tsyklon‑3 (Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle)【related】.  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian【wikipedia_languages】.  
- **Wolfram Language entity code:** `Entity["Satellite", "22688"]`【wolfram_language_entity_code】.

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Cosmos 2253?  
A: Cosmos 2253 is a Strela‑3 series military communications satellite launched by Russia in 1993.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2253 launched?  
A: It was launched on 24 June 1993 at 04:12:41 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome’s Site 32.

### Q: Which launch vehicle carried Cosmos 2253 into orbit?  
A: The satellite was placed into orbit by a Tsyklon‑3 expendable launch vehicle.

### Q: What is the satellite’s catalog identifier?  
A: Cosmos 2253 is catalogued as SCN 22688 and has the COSPAR designation 1993‑038B.

### Q: What is the purpose of a Strela‑3 satellite like Cosmos 2253?  
A: Strela‑3 satellites provide secure, store‑and‑forward communications for military users.

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 2253 represents a component of Russia’s strategic communications infrastructure during the post‑Cold‑War era. As a Strela‑3 satellite, it offers store‑and‑forward messaging capabilities that are essential for secure, low‑latency communication across dispersed military units. The launch from Plesetsk using the reliable Tsyklon‑3 vehicle underscores the continued use of proven Soviet‑era launch systems for maintaining and updating orbital assets. By extending the operational lifespan of the Strela‑3 constellation, Cosmos 2253 helped ensure redundancy and resilience in Russia’s tactical communication network, a critical factor for command‑and‑control in both peacetime and conflict scenarios.

## Notable For  
- Being part of the Strela‑3 series, a long‑standing line of military communications satellites.  
- Launch aboard a Tsyklon‑3, one of the most frequently used Soviet‑origin expendable launchers.  
- Assignment of the COSPAR ID 1993‑038B, linking it to the 1993 launch campaign.  
- Catalogued under SCN 22688, facilitating tracking and identification by international space agencies.  
- Operated from the historic Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a key Russian launch site for military payloads.

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 2253, also recorded as Kosmos 2253, is classified as a **Strela‑3** satellite. Strela‑3 satellites are designed for military communications, providing secure, store‑and‑forward messaging services.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 24 June 1993, 04:12:41 UTC.  
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 32, a primary Russian launch complex for military payloads.  
- **Vehicle:** Tsyklon‑3, an expendable launch vehicle developed jointly by Soviet and Ukrainian engineers.  

The launch is recorded as a **significant event** in the satellite’s history, linking the time, place, and vehicle together.

### Classification & Identifiers  
| Identifier | Value | Source |
|------------|-------|--------|
| **Instance of** | Strela‑3 | instance_of |
| **COSPAR ID** | 1993‑038B | cospar_id |
| **Satellite Catalog Number** | 22688 | scn |
| **Aliases** | Kosmos 2253 | aliases |
| **Wolfram Language Entity** | `Entity["Satellite", "22688"]` | wolfram_language_entity_code |

These identifiers enable precise tracking across international databases and scientific tools.

### Related Systems  
- **Strela‑3 class:** A Ukrainian‑origin military communications satellite series, emphasizing secure data relay.  
- **Tsyklon‑3 class:** A Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle, widely used for placing payloads like Cosmos 2253 into low Earth orbit.

### Documentation & Language Availability  
Cosmos 2253 appears in four Wikipedia language editions (Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian), indicating cross‑regional interest and documentation.

### Operational Context  
While specific mission duration and performance metrics are not detailed in the source, the satellite’s role within the Strela‑3 constellation suggests it contributed to Russia’s tactical communication capabilities throughout the 1990s and beyond. Its launch from Plesetsk aligns with the historical pattern of deploying military satellites from this high‑latitude site to achieve optimal coverage over Russian territories.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report