# Cosmos 617
**Wikidata**: [Q13566888](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566888)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-617

## Summary
Cosmos 617 was a Soviet satellite launched on December 19, 1973, belonging to the Strela-1M class. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 using a Kosmos-3M launch vehicle. The satellite is identified by the international designation 1973-104A.

## Key Facts
- **Official Designation:** Cosmos 617 (also known as Kosmos 617).
- **Classification:** Instance of the Strela-1M satellite class.
- **Launch Date:** December 19, 1973.
- **Launch Time:** 09:43:00.
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M rocket.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1973-104A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 06985.
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch occurring on December 19, 1973, at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 617?
A: Cosmos 617 was a Strela-1M class satellite. This classification is defined in structured records and space tracking databases.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 617 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on December 19, 1973, at 09:43:00. It was delivered to orbit by a Kosmos-3M rocket launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.

### Q: What is the international identifier for Cosmos 617?
A: The COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) ID for this entity is 1973-104A, and its Satellite Catalog Number is 06985.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 617 represents a specific data point in the history of the Soviet space program, specifically within the "Kosmos" designation system used for a wide array of Soviet satellites. Its primary significance lies in its role as part of the Strela-1M series, launched during a period of intense space activity in the 1970s.

The entry provides precise logistical data regarding the Soviet use of the Kosmos-3M launch vehicle, a two-stage rocket developed by the Soviet Union (and later used by Russia). By documenting the exact launch complex (Site 132) and time (09:43:00), the record contributes to the accurate historical tracking of payloads launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. This level of detail is essential for orbital debris tracking, historical spaceflight analysis, and understanding the deployment patterns of the Strela-1M satellite constellation.

## Notable For
- Being a documented instance of the **Strela-1M** satellite class.
- Launching aboard the **Kosmos-3M**, a prominent Russian/Soviet rocket class with a high sitelink count (indicating notability).
- Precise tracking data: It possesses a confirmed **COSPAR ID (1973-104A)** and **Satellite Catalog Number (06985)**.
- Launching from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**, a specific operational pad.
- Inclusion in multiple language editions of Wikipedia (Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian).

## Body
### Classification and Nomenclature
Cosmos 617 is categorized as an "instance of" the **Strela-1M** class. It is alternatively spelled **Kosmos 617**. The "Cosmos" designation was a standard practice by the Soviet Union to name its military and scientific satellites, preventing the need to disclose specific mission details publicly.

### Launch Details
The satellite's deployment is defined by the following structured parameters:
- **Point in Time:** 1973-12-19
- **Start Point:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- **Event Type:** Rocket launch
- **Launch Time:** 09:43:00

### Launch Vehicle
The payload was delivered to orbit using a **Kosmos-3M** rocket. This vehicle is a member of the Kosmos rocket family, derived from the R-14 ballistic missile. The raw data identifies it as a "Russian rocket" associated with the country values of Soviet Union and Russia.

### Identifiers and Records
To distinguish this object from other space debris and satellites, the following unique identifiers are assigned:
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number):** 06985
- **COSPAR International Designator:** 1973-104A

These identifiers are derived from referenced academic and Wikidata sources (specifically source Q6272367 and Q200386). The object has a "sitelink count" of 3, indicating its presence across three different language domains (mk, sh, sr).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report