# Cosmos 425
**Wikidata**: [Q12753842](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753842)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-425

## Summary
Cosmos 425 is a Soviet signals intelligence satellite of the Tselina-OM class, launched on May 29, 1971, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-3M rocket. It operated as part of the Soviet Union's space-based surveillance network during the Cold War.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: May 29, 1971 (03:49:58 UTC)  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket  
- **Satellite Class**: Tselina-OM (signals intelligence satellite)  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1971-050A  
- **Serial Number (SCN)**: 05253  
- **Alias**: Kosmos 425  
- **Wikipedia Languages**: Hungarian (hu), Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)  
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/122vrfg9  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 425?  
A: Cosmos 425 was a Tselina-OM-class signals intelligence satellite, designed to monitor foreign military communications and electronic emissions as part of Soviet strategic surveillance efforts.  

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 425 launched?  
A: It was launched on May 29, 1971, at 03:49:58 UTC from Site 132 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Soviet Union.  

### Q: What rocket carried Cosmos 425 into orbit?  
A: The satellite was deployed using a Kosmos-3M launch vehicle, a Soviet two-stage rocket commonly used for satellite deployments.  

### Q: How does Cosmos 425 compare to other Tselina-OM satellites?  
A: Like other Tselina-OM satellites, it specialized in signals intelligence but was distinguished by its specific launch trajectory and operational parameters unique to its mission timeline.  

### Q: Is there public documentation about Cosmos 425?  
A: Limited details exist, with multilingual Wikipedia entries in Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian serving as primary accessible sources.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 425 exemplifies the Soviet Union's Cold War-era investments in space-based surveillance, providing critical real-time intelligence on NATO and other adversarial communications. As part of the Tselina-OM series, it advanced Soviet capabilities in signal interception and electronic warfare, directly supporting military strategy and geopolitical positioning. Its launch via the Kosmos-3M rocket also underscored the operational reliability of this workhorse launch vehicle during a period of heightened East-West tensions, contributing to broader Cold War technological competition.  

## Notable For  
- **Precise Launch Timing**: Launched at 03:49:58 UTC, emphasizing the Soviet military's scheduling discipline for surveillance missions.  
- **Tselina-OM Integration**: One of the early satellites in this class, which defined Soviet signals intelligence satellite architecture.  
- **Plesetsk Site 132 Origin**: Launched from a less commonly referenced cosmodrome site, diversifying Soviet launch capabilities beyond Baikonur.  
- **Multilingual Documentation**: Rare coverage in Eastern European languages (e.g., Serbian, Hungarian), reflecting regional operational relevance.  
- **Wolfram Entity Recognition**: Listed as `Entity["Satellite", "05253"]`, indicating algorithmic recognition in technical knowledge systems.  

## Body  
### Overview  
Cosmos 425 is a Soviet signals intelligence satellite, classified under the Tselina-OM model, which focused on intercepting and analyzing foreign military radio and radar signals. It was assigned the designation "Cosmos 425" and serial number 05253, with the COSPAR identifier 1971-050A.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date**: May 29, 1971  
- **Time**: 03:49:58 UTC  
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 (specific launch pad)  
- **Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet two-stage orbital launch vehicle developed in the 1960s.  
The launch marked a routine deployment for the Soviet space program during its peak Cold War activity phase.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Satellite Type**: Tselina-OM (signals intelligence)  
- **Designation**: Cosmos 425 (primary alias)  
- **Operator**: Soviet Union / later Russia  
- **Mission Duration**: Unspecified in source data; typical Tselina-OM missions lasted 1-2 years.  
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Articles available in Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian.  

### Operational Context  
Cosmos 425 operated within the broader Tselina-OM network, which prioritized monitoring NATO communications across Europe and Asia. Its launch from Plesetsk—a northern Russian facility—enhanced orbital coverage for high-latitude targets. The satellite complemented other Cold War-era Soviet satellites like those in the Tselina-D series but optimized for specific electronic intelligence tasks. No public records confirm its deactivation or orbital decay.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report