# Cosmos 678
**Wikidata**: [Q12753950](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753950)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-678

## Summary
Cosmos 678 is a Soviet military communications satellite launched on September 19, 1974. It belongs to the Strela-1M class of low-Earth orbit communication satellites. The spacecraft was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-3M rocket.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 678
- Alternate name: Kosmos 678
- COSPAR ID: 1974-072B
- SCN number: 07436
- Launch date: September 19, 1974
- Launch time: 14:57 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket
- Satellite class: Strela-1M
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Wikipedia languages: Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)
- Wolfram Language Entity Code: Entity["Satellite", "07436"]

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 678?
A: Cosmos 678 is a Strela-1M military communications satellite developed by the Soviet Union. It was part of a series designed for secure radio relay communications.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 678 launched?
A: Cosmos 678 was launched on September 19, 1974, at 14:57 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 678?
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M carrier rocket, a standard two-stage liquid-fueled launch vehicle used extensively by the Soviet space program.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 678 represents one component of the Soviet Union's strategic military satellite infrastructure during the Cold War era. As part of the Strela-1M constellation, it contributed to secure, store-dump communications between ground units and command centers, particularly serving remote or mobile forces such as those in maritime or Arctic regions. These satellites formed a critical link in the USSR’s nuclear command and control system, enabling reliable communication even under potential electromagnetic interference or attack scenarios. Its deployment reflects the technological competition between global superpowers in developing autonomous and resilient military space assets.

## Notable For
- Part of the operational Strela-1M military satellite network
- Launched during peak Cold War activity in Soviet military space programs
- Utilized the proven Kosmos-3M launch system for rapid orbital insertion
- Designed for high-latitude coverage, supporting Arctic and naval operations
- Classified mission profile typical of Soviet-era military satellites

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 678 was a military communications satellite operated by the Soviet Union. It belonged to the Strela-1M class, which succeeded earlier Strela-1 systems with improved capacity and reliability. These satellites were primarily used for secure, unidirectional tactical communications via store-and-dump transmission methods.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft falls under the category of low Earth orbit (LEO) communication platforms. Specifically, it was engineered for use in polar orbits to ensure broad geographic coverage across northern latitudes—particularly suited to the geopolitical needs of the USSR.

### Launch Details
- **Date**: September 19, 1974  
- **Time**: 14:57 UTC  
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132  
- **Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M  
This launch event marked another successful deployment within the broader Strela program, continuing the expansion of Soviet military satellite capabilities throughout the mid-1970s.

### Operational Context
As part of the Strela-1M fleet, Cosmos 678 participated in a larger network aimed at enhancing battlefield coordination among dispersed military units. Unlike geostationary satellites, these LEO platforms offered shorter signal delays and better resistance to jamming, making them ideal for tactical applications requiring robustness over long-term stationkeeping.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report