# Cosmos 540
**Wikidata**: [Q12753890](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753890)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-540

## Summary  
Cosmos 540 is a Soviet Strela-2M military communications satellite launched on December 25, 1972, aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was part of the Soviet Union's network for secure communications, supporting strategic operations.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: December 25, 1972, at 23:05:01 UTC.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1972-104A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 06323.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket.  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.  
- **Satellite Class**: Strela-2M, designed for military communications.  
- **Country**: Soviet Union (later Russia).  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Cosmos 540 launched?  
A: Cosmos 540 was launched on December 25, 1972, at 23:05:01 UTC.  

### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 540?  
A: It is a Strela-2M military communications satellite, part of the Soviet/Russian fleet for secure communications.  

### Q: What rocket launched Cosmos 540?  
A: The satellite was deployed using a Kosmos-3M launch vehicle.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 540 represents a critical component of the Soviet Union’s military communications infrastructure during the Cold War. As part of the Strela-2M series, it enabled encrypted data transmission, ensuring reliable connectivity for strategic and tactical operations. The use of the Kosmos-3M rocket highlighted the efficiency of Soviet launch systems, which were optimized for deploying small satellites like Cosmos 540 into low Earth orbit. This satellite, though one of many in its class, underscores the broader reliance on space-based assets for military logistics and coordination, a practice that remains foundational to modern defense strategies.  

## Notable For  
- **Strela-2M Class**: Part of a satellite family dedicated to military communications, emphasizing reliability and security.  
- **Christmas Day Launch**: Launched on December 25, 1972, reflecting the Soviet space program’s year-round operational capacity.  
- **Kosmos-3M Rocket**: Utilized a cost-effective and frequently used launch vehicle, underscoring Soviet engineering pragmatism.  
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**: Demonstrated the strategic importance of this launch site for military satellite deployments.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date/Time**: December 25, 1972, at 23:05:01 UTC.  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, a key facility for Soviet military space operations.  
- **Rocket**: Kosmos-3M (a lightweight, reliable launch vehicle with a long service history).  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Strela-2M, a second-generation communications satellite.  
- **Mission**: Secure data relay for Soviet military units, ensuring command and control capabilities.  
- **Identifiers**:  
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1972-104A.  
  - **SCN**: 06323.  

### Mission Context  
- **Network Role**: Operated as part of a constellation to provide continuous communication coverage.  
- **Historical Significance**: Reflects the Soviet emphasis on space-based military assets during the Cold War.  
- **Launch Success**: The Kosmos-3M rocket’s reliability contributed to the frequent deployment of Strela satellites.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report