# Cosmos 623
**Wikidata**: [Q12907755](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907755)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-623

## Summary  
Cosmos 623 is a Soviet Strela-1M military communications satellite launched on December 19, 1973, aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was part of a network of satellites designed to relay encrypted messages for military communications.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: December 19, 1973, at 09:43:00 UTC.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1973-104G.  
- **Satellite Class**: Strela-1M, a Soviet military communications satellite series.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket (Soviet Union).  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.  
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number)**: 06991.  
- **Mission Purpose**: Secure military communications as part of a satellite constellation.  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Cosmos 623 launched?  
A: Cosmos 623 was launched on December 19, 1973, at 09:43:00 UTC.  

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 623?  
A: It served as a military communications satellite, relaying encrypted messages for the Soviet Union.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 623?  
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a reliable Soviet launch vehicle.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 623 was a critical component of the Soviet Union’s military communications infrastructure during the Cold War. As part of the Strela-1M satellite constellation, it enabled secure, long-distance communication between military units, enhancing strategic coordination. The use of the Kosmos-3M rocket underscored the Soviet space program’s focus on cost-effective, reliable launch systems for deploying satellite networks. While individual Strela-1M satellites like Cosmos 623 were not publicly high-profile, their collective role in maintaining military readiness and communication resilience was significant.  

## Notable For  
- **Strela-1M Class Membership**: Part of a series of satellites designed for store-and-forward communications.  
- **Kosmos-3M Launch Vehicle**: Demonstrated the rocket’s reliability for deploying small satellites.  
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Launch**: Highlighted the strategic importance of this facility for Soviet military space operations.  
- **Encrypted Messaging Role**: Supported Soviet military logistics and command structures.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date/Time**: Launched on December 19, 1973, at 09:43:00 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, a key Soviet spaceport.  
- **Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket (serial number unknown), a two-stage launch vehicle used extensively for small satellites.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Strela-1M, a cylindrical satellite with a mass of approximately 90 kg.  
- **Identifiers**:  
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1973-104G.  
  - **SCN**: 06991.  
- **Function**: Stored and forwarded encrypted messages between ground stations.  

### Mission Context  
- **Constellation Role**: Operated as one unit in a network of Strela-1M satellites, ensuring continuous communication coverage.  
- **Historical Significance**: Reflects the Soviet Union’s emphasis on military satellite communications during the 1970s.  
- **Decommissioning**: Ceased operations after its orbital decay or fuel depletion, typical of Strela-1M satellites with limited lifespans.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report