# Cosmos 604
**Wikidata**: [Q12753919](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753919)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-604

## Summary  
Cosmos 604 (also written Kosmos 604) was a Soviet **Tselina‑D signals‑intelligence satellite** launched on **29 October 1973** from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome aboard a **Vostok‑2M** carrier rocket. It entered orbit under the international designation **1973‑080A** and is catalogued with the Satellite Catalog Number **06907**.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 29 October 1973 (14:00:14 UTC) – source: Q6272367.  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 43/4, Russia.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Vostok‑2M expendable rocket.  
- **Satellite class:** Tselina‑D, a Soviet signals‑intelligence (ELINT) platform.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1973‑080A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 06907 (Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite","06907"]).  
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 604.  
- **Sitelink count on Wikidata:** 3 (links to Wikipedia pages in Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, and Serbian).  

## FAQs  

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 604?  
**A:** Cosmos 604 was part of the Soviet Union’s Tselina‑D series, designed to collect electronic and radio‑signal intelligence (ELINT) from orbit.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 604 launched?  
**A:** It launched on 29 October 1973 at 14:00:14 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome’s Site 43/4 using a Vostok‑2M rocket.

### Q: How is Cosmos 604 identified in international satellite catalogs?  
**A:** Its COSPAR identifier is **1973‑080A** and its Satellite Catalog Number is **06907**.

### Q: What launch vehicle was used for Cosmos 604?  
**A:** The satellite was carried aloft by a **Vostok‑2M** expendable carrier rocket, a work‑horse of the Soviet space program.

### Q: Are there other language resources for Cosmos 604?  
**A:** Yes, Wikipedia entries exist in Macedonian (mk), Serbo‑Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 604 represents a key node in the Cold War-era Soviet electronic‑intelligence architecture. By deploying a Tselina‑D platform, the USSR could monitor a broad spectrum of radio and radar emissions from adversary nations, feeding valuable data to military and strategic planners. The launch demonstrates the Soviet capability to field dedicated ELINT satellites using the reliable Vostok‑2M launch system, reinforcing the broader narrative of space‑based reconnaissance competition during the 1970s. Understanding Cosmos 604 helps scholars trace the evolution of signals‑intelligence technology, assess historical satellite constellations, and appreciate how space assets have long been integral to national security.

## Notable For  
- First‑generation **Tselina‑D** satellite, part of the early Soviet ELINT constellation.  
- Launched from the **strategic Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, highlighting the site’s role beyond crewed missions.  
- Utilized the **Vostok‑2M** launch vehicle, a proven workhorse for Soviet military payloads.  
- Assigned the **COSPAR ID 1973‑080A**, linking it to the global satellite tracking community.  
- Catalogued as **Satellite 06907**, enabling cross‑reference in scientific and intelligence databases.

## Body  

### Overview  
Cosmos 604 (Kosmos 604) was a Soviet orbital platform built to intercept and analyze electronic emissions. It belongs to the **Tselina‑D** class, a series specifically engineered for signals‑intelligence (ELINT) missions.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 29 October 1973, 14:00:14 UTC.  
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 43/4 (Russia).  
- **Vehicle:** Vostok‑2M, an expendable carrier rocket derived from the earlier Vostok family.  

### Technical Classification  
- **Instance of:** Tselina‑D (signals‑intelligence satellite).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1973‑080A – the international identifier used for tracking.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 06907 – the North American Space Surveillance Network designation.  

### Operational Role  
As a Tselina‑D satellite, Cosmos 604’s primary function was to **collect electronic and radio‑frequency data** from ground‑based transmitters, radars, and communication systems. The data contributed to the Soviet Union’s strategic assessment of foreign military capabilities.

### Documentation & References  
- All structured data (launch date, vehicle, classification, identifiers) are sourced from **Wikidata entry Q6272367**.  
- The satellite appears in three language‑specific Wikipedia pages (Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian), confirming its recognition across multiple linguistic communities.  

### Legacy  
Cosmos 604’s deployment illustrates the **integration of space technology into intelligence gathering** during the Cold War. Its successful launch and operation reinforced the Soviet practice of maintaining a dedicated ELINT satellite fleet, a practice that continues to influence modern reconnaissance architectures.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report