# Cosmos 610
**Wikidata**: [Q12753921](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753921)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-610

## Summary
Cosmos 610 was a Soviet satellite launched on November 27, 1973, belonging to the Tselina-OM class of signals intelligence satellites. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-3M rocket to conduct military reconnaissance missions.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 610 is an instance of the Tselina-OM model, a class of Soviet signals intelligence (SIGINT) satellites.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on November 27, 1973.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered into orbit by a Kosmos-3M rocket.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international designation is 1973-093A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is identified by the SCN value 06950.
- **Significant Event:** The rocket launch occurred precisely at 00:08:01 on November 27, 1973.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as Kosmos 610.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 610?
A: Cosmos 610 was a Tselina-OM class satellite, which was a model of Soviet signals intelligence satellite used for gathering electronic information.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 610 launched?
A: Cosmos 610 was launched on November 27, 1973, at 00:08:01, using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.

### Q: What was the purpose of the Cosmos 610 mission?
A: As a Tselina-OM satellite, its primary role was signals intelligence (SIGINT), designed to monitor and intercept electronic signals for the Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 610 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's extensive reliance on space-based assets for tactical and strategic intelligence during the Cold War. As part of the Tselina-OM class, this satellite highlights the evolution of Soviet signals intelligence capabilities, specifically focusing on the "OM" (Obshchegosudarstvennaya Modifikatsiya, or state-wide modification) variant which likely offered improved bandwidth or sensitivity over previous iterations.

The launch of Cosmos 610 demonstrates the operational tempo and reliability of the Kosmos-3M launch vehicle, a workhorse for the Soviet military space program. The use of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, the primary launch site for military satellites, further contextualizes the satellite's role in national defense. By mapping the electronic order of battle of potential adversaries, satellites like Cosmos 610 provided critical data that influenced military planning and diplomatic strategy. Its inclusion in the broader "Cosmos" series—a designation used to obfuscate the specific nature of Soviet military satellites—illustrates the secrecy surrounding these operations. Today, entries like this allow historians and analysts to track the development of early electronic warfare and space reconnaissance technologies.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Intelligence Role:** Being a specific model (Tselina-OM) designed exclusively for signals intelligence rather than general observation.
- **Precise Launch Tracking:** Having a recorded launch time precise to the second (00:08:01), indicating meticulous tracking by international observatories.
- **Launch Platform:** Utilizing the Kosmos-3M, a prolific and robust Russian rocket system frequently used for military payloads.
- **Historical Context:** Operating during a peak period of Cold War electronic surveillance development in the early 1970s.

## Body
### Mission Profile and Launch
Cosmos 610 was successfully launched on **November 27, 1973**. The mission began at the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**, a key launch complex for the Soviet military. The launch vehicle used was the **Kosmos-3M**, a two-stage rocket renowned for its versatility in deploying light to medium-weight payloads into low Earth orbit. The specific moment of launch was recorded at **00:08:01** UTC.

### Technical Specifications and Identity
The satellite is officially classified as an **instance of Tselina-OM**, a distinct model within the broader Tselina family of satellites.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1973-093A
- **Satellite Number:** 06950
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "06950"]

These identifiers allow for the precise tracking and differentiation of this specific object from the thousands of other debris and satellites in orbit.

### Historical Context
The satellite is part of the long-running **Cosmos series**, a naming convention used by the Soviet Union and later Russia for a wide variety of military and scientific satellites. The "Tselina" series specifically addressed the need for electronic intelligence gathering, and the "OM" designation indicates a specific configuration or generation of this technology. The satellite has sitelinks in four Wikipedia languages (Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian), reflecting its documentation in regional technical records.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report