# Cosmos 476
**Wikidata**: [Q13566863](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566863)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-476

## Summary
Cosmos 476 was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched on March 1, 1972, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was part of the Tselina-D series, designed to monitor foreign communications and electronic signals. The satellite was launched aboard a Vostok-2M rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 1, 1972
- **Launch Vehicle**: Vostok-2M
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- **Satellite Class**: Tselina-D (signals intelligence)
- **COSPAR ID**: 1972-011A
- **SCN (NORAD Catalog Number)**: 05852
- **Launch Time**: 11:15:00 UTC

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 476?
A: Cosmos 476 was a Tselina-D satellite, a Soviet signals intelligence satellite designed to monitor foreign communications and electronic signals.

### Q: Which rocket launched Cosmos 476?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Vostok-2M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome on March 1, 1972.

### Q: Where was Cosmos 476 launched from?
A: Cosmos 476 was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What was the purpose of the Tselina-D satellite series?
A: The Tselina-D series was a Soviet satellite program focused on electronic signals intelligence, including monitoring foreign communications and electronic signals.

### Q: What was the launch time of Cosmos 476?
A: Cosmos 476 was launched at 11:15:00 UTC on March 1, 1972.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 476 was part of the Soviet Union's extensive satellite-based signals intelligence network, which played a critical role in monitoring foreign communications during the Cold War. The Tselina-D satellites were designed to intercept and analyze electronic signals, providing the USSR with valuable intelligence on military and diplomatic communications. The launch of Cosmos 476, along with other Tselina-D satellites, contributed to the Soviet Union's ability to maintain situational awareness and counter foreign intelligence efforts. While the exact details of its operations remain classified, the satellite's role in electronic surveillance underscores the technological advancements and strategic importance of space-based intelligence gathering during the Cold War era.

## Notable For
- **First Launch of Tselina-D Satellite**: Cosmos 476 was one of the earliest operational satellites in the Tselina-D series, demonstrating the Soviet Union's capability in space-based electronic intelligence.
- **Cold War Surveillance**: The satellite was part of a broader Soviet effort to monitor foreign communications, reflecting the era's geopolitical tensions.
- **Vostok-2M Launch**: The use of the Vostok-2M rocket for this mission highlighted the reliability and adaptability of the Soviet launch vehicle fleet.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Operations**: The launch site, Plesetsk Cosmodrome, was a key hub for Soviet military and intelligence satellite deployments.

## Body
### Satellite Overview
Cosmos 476 was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched as part of the Tselina-D program. The Tselina-D series was designed to intercept and analyze foreign communications, including military and diplomatic signals. The satellite's primary function was to support the Soviet Union's electronic surveillance efforts during the Cold War.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on March 1, 1972, at 11:15:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4. The Vostok-2M rocket was used as the launch vehicle, which was a reliable and versatile expendable carrier rocket developed by the Soviet Union. The launch was part of a broader effort to maintain the USSR's intelligence capabilities in space.

### Operational Significance
Cosmos 476, along with other Tselina-D satellites, played a crucial role in the Soviet Union's ability to monitor foreign communications. The satellite's operations contributed to the USSR's strategic intelligence gathering, helping to maintain situational awareness and counter foreign intelligence efforts. While specific details of its operations remain classified, the satellite's existence is documented in historical records and satellite catalogs.

### Legacy
The launch of Cosmos 476 was part of a larger Soviet program to establish a comprehensive space-based intelligence network. The Tselina-D satellites, including Cosmos 476, were part of this effort, reflecting the technological advancements and strategic importance of space-based intelligence gathering during the Cold War. The satellite's mission highlights the Soviet Union's commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in electronic surveillance and intelligence operations.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report