# Cosmos 618
**Wikidata**: [Q13566889](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566889)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-618

## Summary
Cosmos 618 was a Soviet satellite launched on December 19, 1973, belonging to the Strela-1M class. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-3M launch vehicle. The satellite is identified by the international designator 1973-104B and Satellite Catalog Number 06986.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 618 is an instance of the **Strela-1M** satellite class.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite launched on **December 19, 1973**.
- **Launch Time:** The launch took place at **09:43:00** UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was carried into orbit by a **Kosmos-3M** rocket.
- **Launch Site:** The launch occurred at **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international designation is **1973-104B**.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under number **06986**.
- **Country of Origin:** Associated with the **Soviet Union** (via the launch vehicle and program context).

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 618?
A: Cosmos 618 was a satellite of the **Strela-1M** class. This classification indicates its specific design and function within the Soviet space program.

### Q: When was Cosmos 618 launched?
A: Cosmos 618 was launched on **December 19, 1973**, at 09:43:00 UTC.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 618?
A: The satellite was launched using a **Kosmos-3M** rocket, a launch vehicle commonly used for Soviet military and scientific satellites during that era.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 618 represents a specific data point within the extensive Soviet "Kosmos" program, which served as a catch-all designation for a wide variety of Soviet satellites, including military communications and scientific research vehicles. As a member of the **Strela-1M** class, Cosmos 618 contributes to the historical record of satellite constellations developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The entry is significant for space historians and orbital analysts because it provides precise logistical details—such as the exact launch time (09:43:00) and the specific launch pad (Site 132 at Plesetsk)—which are essential for tracking orbital debris and understanding launch cadence schedules of the 1970s. Furthermore, the use of the **Kosmos-3M** launch vehicle highlights the reliance on this specific rocket family for deploying this class of payloads.

## Notable For
- Being a documented unit of the **Strela-1M** satellite series.
- Launching from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**, a key Soviet launch infrastructure.
- Utilizing the **Kosmos-3M** rocket, a staple of the Soviet space fleet.
- Precise tracking data preserved via **COSPAR ID 1973-104B** and **SCN 06986**.

## Body

### Mission Profile
Cosmos 618 was successfully launched on December 19, 1973. The mission was executed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically from Site 132. The launch event was precisely recorded at 09:43:00 UTC. Upon reaching orbit, the object received the official designation Cosmos 618.

### Technical Specifications
The entity is defined by the following identifiers and classifications:
- **Instance of:** Strela-1M
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 06986
- **COSPAR International Designator:** 1973-104B

### Launch Vehicle and Origin
The payload was delivered to orbit by the **Kosmos-3M** rocket. This rocket is a two-stage launch vehicle that was extensively used by the Soviet Union and later Russia. The rocket is historically linked to both the Soviet Union and Russia, with a significant presence in global spaceflight history.

### Related Entities
- **Strela-1M:** The parent class or model of the satellite.
- **Kosmos-3M:** The launch vehicle utilized for the mission.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report