# Cosmos 582
**Wikidata**: [Q12753909](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753909)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-582

## Summary
Cosmos 582 was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched in 1973 as part of the Tselina-OM class, designed to monitor electronic emissions for military intelligence. It was deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, contributing to the Soviet Union's Cold War-era surveillance capabilities.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 28, 1973, at 10:08:29 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket (Soviet/Russian launch vehicle).
- **Satellite Class**: Tselina-OM, a signals intelligence (ELINT) satellite model.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1973-060A.
- **SCN**: 06802.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **Mission Type**: Electronic signals monitoring for military purposes.
- **Operational Countries**: Associated with both the Soviet Union and Russia (via the Kosmos-3M rocket's heritage).

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 582?
A: Cosmos 582 was a signals intelligence satellite tasked with detecting and analyzing electronic emissions, supporting Soviet military surveillance during the Cold War.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 582 launched?
A: It launched on August 28, 1973, at 10:08:29 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What rocket was used to deploy Cosmos 582?
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet/Russian launch vehicle known for its reliability in deploying small satellites.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 582 played a role in the Soviet Union's strategic efforts to gather electronic intelligence (ELINT) during the Cold War. As part of the Tselina-OM satellite constellation, it helped monitor radar and communication signals, providing critical data for military planning and counter-surveillance. Its launch underscored the growing importance of space-based reconnaissance in geopolitical tensions, enabling the Soviet Union to maintain parity with Western intelligence-gathering systems. The mission also highlighted the versatility of the Kosmos-3M rocket, which became a workhorse for launching small satellites like Cosmos 582, reinforcing Soviet space infrastructure capabilities.

## Notable For
- **Tselina-OM Class Membership**: Part of a specialized ELINT satellite series designed for electronic signals detection.
- **Kosmos-3M Rocket Deployment**: Utilized a rocket model that served both Soviet and later Russian space programs.
- **Cold War Surveillance Role**: Contributed to the Soviet Union's ability to conduct global electronic intelligence gathering.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Launch**: Originated from a key Soviet space launch facility, emphasizing military-focused operations.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: August 28, 1973, at 10:08:29 UTC.
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, a primary Soviet military space launch site.
- **Rocket**: Kosmos-3M (serial number unknown), a lightweight launch vehicle used extensively for small satellite deployments.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: Tselina-OM, a second-generation ELINT satellite designed to identify and catalog electronic signals.
- **Identifiers**:
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1973-060A.
  - **SCN**: 06802.
- **Mission**: Passive detection of radar, communication, and telemetry signals for military intelligence analysis.

### Mission Context
- **Operational Period**: Conducted signals monitoring missions in the early 1970s, a peak period for Cold War space-based surveillance.
- **Legacy**: Part of a broader network of Soviet satellites (e.g., Tselina-O, Tselina-D) aimed at achieving global ELINT coverage.
- **Rocket Heritage**: The Kosmos-3M rocket, though Soviet in origin, remained in service post-Soviet dissolution, reflecting its reliability and cost-effectiveness for Russia's space program.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report