# Cosmos 661
**Wikidata**: [Q13383013](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13383013)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-661

## Summary
Cosmos 661 is a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched on June 21, 1974. It is a Tselina-OM class satellite that was placed into orbit using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Instance of a Tselina-OM signals intelligence satellite.
- **Launch Date:** June 21, 1974, at 09:03:00 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M rocket.
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 07339.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1974-045A.
- **Technical Identifiers:** Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite", "07339"] and Google Knowledge Graph ID /g/120v_0ck.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Cosmos 661?
A: Cosmos 661 was a signals intelligence (SIGINT) satellite designed for electronic reconnaissance. As a Tselina-OM class model, it was used by the Soviet Union to monitor and gather data from electronic signals.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 661 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on June 21, 1974, at 09:03:00. The launch took place at Site 132 of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What type of rocket was used for the Cosmos 661 mission?
A: Cosmos 661 was launched into space using a Kosmos-3M rocket. This launch vehicle was a standard Russian rocket used for deploying various satellite classes, including the Tselina-OM series.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 661 serves as a historical marker for Soviet space capabilities in the mid-1970s, specifically within the realm of signals intelligence. As an instance of the Tselina-OM class, it represents the Soviet Union's commitment to developing specialized electronic reconnaissance technology during the Cold War. The use of the Kosmos-3M rocket for this mission underscores the reliability of that specific launch vehicle in deploying military and intelligence assets from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Site 132 at Plesetsk was a critical location for these operations, and the successful launch of Cosmos 661 on June 21, 1974, added to the extensive catalog of Soviet orbital achievements. For researchers and historians, the satellite's identifiers—such as COSPAR ID 1974-045A and SCN 07339—allow for the precise tracking of its place in the Kosmos program's timeline. While it is one of many satellites in the series, its specific classification as a Tselina-OM model highlights the evolution of Soviet SIGINT technology. The satellite remains a documented part of the Soviet Union's legacy in space, maintained in global knowledge bases and academic records.

## Notable For
- **Class Membership:** It is a specific model of the Tselina-OM Soviet signals intelligence satellite series.
- **Launch Precision:** Lift-off was recorded at the exact time of 09:03:00 on June 21, 1974.
- **Orbital Tracking:** Recognized internationally by the COSPAR ID 1974-045A and Satellite Catalog Number 07339.
- **Multilingual Documentation:** Information regarding the satellite is available in several languages, including Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
Cosmos 661, also known by the alias Kosmos 661, was a Soviet satellite mission launched in 1974. The spacecraft is classified as an instance of the Tselina-OM class. This class of satellites was specifically designed for signals intelligence (SIGINT), serving as a model for Soviet electronic reconnaissance in orbit.

### Launch Operations
The launch of Cosmos 661 was a significant event conducted by the Soviet Union.
- **Date and Time:** June 21, 1974, at 09:03:00.
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically utilizing Site 132.
- **Vehicle:** The mission was powered by a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Russian launch vehicle associated with 16 sitelinks in related records.

### Technical Identification and Records
Cosmos 661 is cataloged across various scientific and academic databases using specific identifiers:
- **SCN:** 07339 (referenced by Q6272367).
- **COSPAR ID:** 1974-045A.
- **Wolfram Language Code:** Entity["Satellite", "07339"].
- **Knowledge Graph:** Google Knowledge Graph ID /g/120v_0ck.
- **Sitelink Count:** The specific entity for Cosmos 661 maintains a sitelink count of 4, with Wikipedia entries available in hu, mk, sh, and sr languages.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report