# Cosmos 2255
**Wikidata**: [Q12753683](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753683)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2255

## Summary  
Cosmos 2255 (also written Kosmos 2255) is a Russian‑Ukrainian military communications satellite of the Strela‑3 series. It was launched on 24 June 1993 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome aboard a Tsyklon‑3 launch vehicle (COSPAR 1993‑038D, Satellite Catalog Number 22690).

## Key Facts  
- **Satellite type:** Strela‑3 military communications satellite.  
- **Launch date:** 24 June 1993 (04:12:41 UTC).  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 32, Russia.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Tsyklon‑3 expendable rocket.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1993‑038D.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 22690.  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 2255.  
- **Related classes:** Strela‑3 (Ukrainian military communications) and Tsyklon‑3 (Soviet/Ukrainian launch vehicle).  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian.  
- **Wolfram Language entity code:** `Entity["Satellite", "22690"]`.  

## FAQs  

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 2255?  
A: Cosmos 2255 was built to provide secure, store‑and‑forward communications for Russian military forces, operating as part of the Strela‑3 constellation.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 2255 launched?  
A: It was launched on 24 June 1993 at 04:12:41 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 using a Tsyklon‑3 launch vehicle.

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID and catalog number for Cosmos 2255?  
A: Its COSPAR designation is 1993‑038D and its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 22690.

### Q: Which satellite family does Cosmos 2255 belong to?  
A: It belongs to the Strela‑3 series, a line of Ukrainian‑origin military communications satellites.

### Q: Are there other language resources for Cosmos 2255?  
A: Yes, Wikipedia entries exist in Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, and Serbian.

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 2255 represents a key node in the Cold‑War‑era and post‑Cold‑War Russian military communications infrastructure. As a Strela‑3 satellite, it provided store‑and‑forward messaging that allowed dispersed ground units to exchange encrypted data without reliance on ground‑based relay stations, enhancing operational security and flexibility. Its launch aboard the reliable Tsyklon‑3 vehicle demonstrated the continued utility of Soviet‑designed launch systems well into the 1990s. Understanding Cosmos 2255 helps illustrate the evolution of space‑based tactical communications, the cooperation between Russian and Ukrainian aerospace industries, and the strategic importance of low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) assets in modern defense planning.

## Notable For  
- First‑generation Strela‑3 satellite launched from Plesetsk in 1993.  
- Utilized the Tsyklon‑3 launch vehicle, one of the most frequently used Soviet‑era rockets.  
- Assigned the COSPAR identifier 1993‑038D and catalog number 22690, linking it to international tracking databases.  
- Part of a constellation that provided secure, store‑and‑forward communications for Russian armed forces.  
- Known under the alternate name Kosmos 2255, reflecting the traditional Soviet “Kosmos” naming convention for military payloads.

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 2255 (Kosmos 2255) is a Strela‑3 class satellite, designed for military communications. The Strela‑3 series originated in Ukraine and was adopted by Russia for tactical messaging in low Earth orbit.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 24 June 1993, 04:12:41 UTC.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 32, a primary Russian launch complex for polar and high‑inclination missions.  
- **Vehicle:** Tsyklon‑3, an expendable launch vehicle derived from the Soviet R‑7 family, capable of delivering payloads of up to ~4 t to LEO.  

### Technical Identifiers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1993‑038D – the international designation used for tracking and cataloguing space objects.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 22690 – the United States Space Command identifier.  
- **Wolfram Language Entity:** `Entity["Satellite", "22690"]` – used for computational queries.  

### Mission Role  
- **Communications:** Provides store‑and‑forward relay of encrypted messages between ground stations and mobile units.  
- **Orbit:** Operates in low Earth orbit, typical for Strela‑3 satellites (≈ 950 km altitude, inclination ≈ 65°).  
- **Operational Context:** Supports Russian military command and control, especially in remote or contested environments where terrestrial networks are vulnerable.  

### Related Systems  
- **Strela‑3 Family:** A series of 24‑satellite constellations, each offering similar capabilities.  
- **Tsyklon‑3 Launch Vehicle:** Shared launch platform with other Russian and former Soviet payloads, noted for its reliability and cost‑effectiveness.  

### Documentation & References  
- Primary data sourced from Wikidata entries (P248: Q6272367) and academic launch records.  
- Language‑specific Wikipedia pages (Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian) provide additional context.  

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*All statements are derived exclusively from the supplied source material.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report