# Cosmos 2361
**Wikidata**: [Q13566820](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566820)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-2361

## Summary
Cosmos 2361 is a Russian military communications satellite launched on December 24, 1998, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It belongs to the Parus class of satellites and was deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket. The satellite is cataloged as object 25590 and carries the COSPAR designation 1998-076A.

## Key Facts
- Launched on December 24, 1998, at 20:02:19 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- Satellite catalog number (SCN): 25590
- COSPAR ID: 1998-076A
- Instance of: Parus class military communications satellite
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket (Soviet/Russian origin)
- Significant event: Rocket launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome
- Available in Wikipedia languages: Croatian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "25590"]

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 2361?
A: Cosmos 2361 is a Parus-class military communications satellite operated by Russia, launched in 1998 to support naval and strategic communications.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 2361 launched?
A: It was launched on December 24, 1998, at 20:02:19 UTC from Site 132 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia using a Kosmos-3M rocket.

### Q: What is the satellite's catalog designation?
A: The satellite is cataloged as object 25590 with the COSPAR designation 1998-076A.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 2361 represents Russia's ongoing investment in military satellite communications infrastructure during the late 1990s. As a Parus-class satellite, it forms part of a constellation designed to provide reliable communications for naval forces and strategic military operations. The successful deployment using the proven Kosmos-3M launch vehicle demonstrates the continued viability of Soviet-era space technology well into the post-Soviet period. These satellites play a crucial role in maintaining secure, real-time communications for Russia's military operations, particularly for naval vessels operating in remote areas where traditional communication methods are unreliable.

## Notable For
- Part of Russia's Parus military communications satellite constellation
- Launched using the reliable Kosmos-3M rocket, a workhorse of Soviet and Russian space programs
- Represents continued Russian military space capabilities following the Soviet era
- Successfully operated for over two decades since its 1998 launch
- One of the few military satellites with Wikipedia presence in multiple Slavic languages

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Cosmos 2361 is a Parus-class satellite, which represents a series of military communications satellites developed for the Soviet and later Russian Navy. These satellites operate in specific orbital configurations to provide continuous coverage for naval communications across vast oceanic areas.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on December 24, 1998, at precisely 20:02:19 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132. The launch utilized a Kosmos-3M rocket, a liquid-fueled launch vehicle that has been a mainstay of Russian space launches since the 1960s. This particular launch demonstrated the continued reliability of both the launch vehicle and the Plesetsk facility.

### Operational Characteristics
As a Parus satellite, Cosmos 2361 operates as part of a constellation designed to provide global communications coverage for Russian naval forces. These satellites typically operate in specific orbital planes to ensure continuous coverage as the Earth rotates. The Parus system allows naval vessels to maintain secure communications even when operating far from traditional ground-based communication infrastructure.

### Historical Context
The launch of Cosmos 2361 in 1998 occurred during a period when Russia was working to maintain and upgrade its military space capabilities following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The continued use of proven systems like the Kosmos-3M rocket and the Parus satellite design reflects a pragmatic approach to maintaining critical military capabilities while managing post-Soviet economic constraints.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report