# Cosmos 542
**Wikidata**: [Q13566876](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566876)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-542

## Summary
Cosmos 542 was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched on December 28, 1972. Designated as part of the Tselina-D program, it was deployed into orbit using a Vostok-2M expendable carrier rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Tselina-D class satellite.
- **Primary Function:** Soviet signals intelligence (SIGINT).
- **Launch Date:** December 28, 1972.
- **Launch Time:** 11:00:00.
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Vostok-2M rocket.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1972-106A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 06328.
- **Alternate Name:** Kosmos 542.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 542?
A: Cosmos 542 was a Tselina-D class satellite, which was a Soviet model designed for signals intelligence gathering.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 542 launched?
A: It was launched on December 28, 1972, at 11:00:00 UTC, using a Vostok-2M expendable carrier rocket.

### Q: Where did the launch of Cosmos 542 take place?
A: The satellite launched from Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 542 serves as a specific historical data point within the Cold War-era space race, illustrating the operational tempo and technical capabilities of the Soviet Union's military space program. As a component of the Tselina-D system, this satellite represents the Soviet strategy of utilizing space-based assets for signals intelligence (SIGINT), a critical capability for monitoring communications and electronic signals globally.

The launch is also significant for its use of the Vostok-2M rocket, a reliable workhorse derivative of the R-7 Semyorka, and its deployment from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a primary hub for military launches. While the "Cosmos" designation was used generically for a vast array of Soviet satellites to obscure their specific military functions, detailed records identify Cosmos 542 as a dedicated intelligence asset. Its deployment helped maintain the Soviet Union's electronic surveillance capabilities in the early 1970s.

## Notable For
- **Classification:** Identified specifically as a Tselina-D satellite, a dedicated platform for signals intelligence.
- **Launch Configuration:** Utilized the Vostok-2M expendable carrier rocket.
- **Precise Tracking:** Recorded with a specific COSPAR ID (1972-106A) and Satellite Catalog Number (06328).
- **Launch Infrastructure:** Deployed from the specialized Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Body
### Mission and Classification
Cosmos 542 was an artificial satellite operated by the Soviet Union. It is formally classified as an instance of the **Tselina-D**, a model of Soviet signals intelligence satellite. The "Cosmos" designation (often spelled "Kosmos") was a standard Soviet practice used to obscure the military nature of reconnaissance and intelligence satellites.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **December 28, 1972**. The launch event occurred precisely at **11:00:00**. The mission originated from the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, specifically launching from **Site 43/4**.

### Launch Vehicle
The delivery system used for Cosmos 542 was the **Vostok-2M**, an expendable carrier rocket. This rocket was a common launch vehicle for Soviet military satellites during this era.

### Identifiers
For tracking and cataloging purposes, Cosmos 542 is assigned the following identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1972-106A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 06328

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report