# Cosmos 269

> soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q12753784](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753784)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-269

## Summary
Cosmos 269 was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched on March 5, 1969. It belonged to the Tselina-OM class and was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-3M rocket.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 269
- Alternate name: Kosmos 269
- Launch date: March 5, 1969
- Launch time: 17:25:01 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket
- Satellite class: Tselina-OM
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- COSPAR ID: 1969-021A
- SCN number: 03775

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 269?
A: Cosmos 269 was a signals intelligence satellite designed to intercept and monitor electronic communications. As part of the Tselina-OM program, it supported Soviet military reconnaissance efforts during the Cold War.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 269 launched?
A: Cosmos 269 was launched on March 5, 1969, at 17:25:01 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What kind of rocket launched Cosmos 269?
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a standard Soviet launch vehicle used for low-Earth orbit missions.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 269 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based surveillance infrastructure. As a Tselina-OM satellite, it contributed to the USSR’s strategic intelligence-gathering capabilities by monitoring foreign communications from orbit. These satellites played a critical role in geopolitical intelligence operations and demonstrated the USSR's advancing technological capacity in space reconnaissance. Its launch marked continued progress in the militarization of space and the use of orbital platforms for national security purposes.

## Notable For
- Part of the classified Tselina-OM signals intelligence satellite program
- Launched during a period of intensified Soviet space reconnaissance activity
- Demonstrates integration of space technology with Cold War espionage
- Utilized the reliable Kosmos-3M launch system
- Identified by multiple international tracking designations including SCN 03775 and COSPAR ID 1969-021A

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 269 was a Soviet military satellite developed under the Tselina-OM program. This program focused on collecting electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) from foreign sources, primarily for military and strategic purposes.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on March 5, 1969, at 17:25:01 UTC. The launch occurred at Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically from Site 132, which was commonly used for military satellite deployments.

### Technical Specifications
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M, a two-stage liquid-fueled rocket widely used by the Soviet Union for smaller payloads.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1969-021A – an internationally recognized identifier for tracking objects in orbit.
- **SCN Number**: 03775 – used by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) for cataloging space objects.

### Operational Context
As part of the Tselina-OM series, Cosmos 269 was likely tasked with intercepting radio transmissions and other electromagnetic signals. These missions were crucial for gathering intelligence on NATO and other adversaries during the Cold War.

### Legacy
Cosmos 269 exemplifies the Soviet Union’s commitment to leveraging space for national defense. Though specific mission outcomes remain classified, its successful deployment added to the growing constellation of Soviet ELINT satellites that shaped global intelligence dynamics throughout the late 20th century.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report