# Cosmos 55
**Wikidata**: [Q1119676](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1119676)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-55

## Summary  
Cosmos 55 is a Soviet Strela-1-class satellite launched on February 21, 1965, aboard a Kosmos-1 carrier rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 41. It was part of a network of early military communication satellites.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: February 21, 1965, at 11:00:00 UTC.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1965-011B.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 01090.  
- **Class**: Strela-1, a Soviet military communication satellite series.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-1, a Soviet carrier rocket.  
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 41.  
- **Mission**: Provided store-and-forward communication services for Soviet military operations.  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Cosmos 55 launched?  
A: Cosmos 55 was launched on February 21, 1965, at 11:00:00 UTC.  

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 55?  
A: It served as a military communication satellite, part of the Strela-1 network for store-and-forward messaging.  

### Q: Is Cosmos 55 still operational?  
A: No, the satellite is no longer operational, as Strela-1 satellites had limited lifespans typical of early space technology.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 55 represents a critical component of the Soviet Union’s early military communication infrastructure. As part of the Strela-1 series, it facilitated encrypted message transmission across vast distances, enhancing strategic coordination during the Cold War. Its launch underscored the USSR’s investment in space-based communication systems, reflecting broader geopolitical competition in space technology. While individual Strela-1 satellites had short operational lifespans, the network as a whole demonstrated the practical application of satellites for military logistics, paving the way for more advanced systems.  

## Notable For  
- **Firsts**: Part of the first dedicated military communication satellite constellation (Strela-1).  
- **Launch Specifics**: Deployed via a Kosmos-1 rocket from Baikonur’s Site 41, a common launch site for Soviet satellites.  
- **Technical Legacy**: Utilized store-and-forward technology, a precursor to modern satellite communication methods.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date/Time**: February 21, 1965, at 11:00:00 UTC.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-1 (a derivative of the R-14 Chusovaya missile).  
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 41/15 (a now-inactive launch pad).  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Strela-1, a low-Earth orbit (LEO) store-and-forward communication satellite.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1965-011B (indicating it was the second object launched in the 1965-011 mission).  
- **SCN**: 01090 (Satellite Catalog Number).  

### Mission & Operations  
- **Role**: Relayed encrypted military messages between ground stations.  
- **Network**: Operated as part of a constellation of Strela-1 satellites to ensure continuous coverage.  
- **Lifespan**: Typical Strela-1 satellites had short operational periods due to limited power and orbital decay.  

### Legacy  
- **Historical Context**: Launched during a peak period of Soviet space activity, contributing to the USSR’s strategic communication capabilities.  
- **Technical Significance**: Demonstrated the viability of satellites for military logistics, influencing later communication satellite designs.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report