# Cosmos 681
**Wikidata**: [Q13566896](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566896)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-681

## Summary
Cosmos 681 was a Soviet satellite belonging to the Strela-1M class. It was launched on September 19, 1974, utilizing a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132. The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1974-072E and the Satellite Catalog Number 07439.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 681 is an instance of the Strela-1M satellite class.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on September 19, 1974.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered into orbit by a Kosmos-3M rocket.
- **Launch Site:** The launch took place at Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **Launch Time:** The specific launch event occurred at 14:57:00.
- **COSPAR ID:** The international designator for this entity is 1974-072E.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** The US Space Command identification number is 07439.
- **Aliases:** The entity is also known as Kosmos 681.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 681?
A: Cosmos 681 was a satellite of the Strela-1M class. It was part of a series of Soviet satellites launched during the Cold War era.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 681 launched?
A: Cosmos 681 was launched on September 19, 1974, at 14:57:00. It was propelled into space using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.

### Q: What are the specific identifiers for Cosmos 681?
A: The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1974-072E and the Satellite Catalog Number 07439. In the Wolfram Language, it is coded as Entity["Satellite", "07439"].

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 681 serves as a specific data point in the history of the Soviet space program, illustrating the operational tempo and technical specifications of the 1970s. As a Strela-1M satellite, it represents a specific generation of spacecraft technology used by the Soviet Union for strategic purposes. The mission highlights the utility of the Kosmos-3M launch vehicle, a workhorse rocket of the era, and the extensive use of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

The detailed tracking of this object—evidenced by its precise COSPAR ID (1974-072E) and Satellite Catalog Number (07439)—demonstrates the rigorous cataloging required for space situational awareness. By recording specific launch times and site coordinates (Site 132), entities like Cosmos 681 help historians and analysts understand launch patterns and the logistical infrastructure of space exploration during this period.

## Notable For
- **Strela-1M Class:** Represents a specific model of Soviet satellite technology.
- **Precise Launch Data:** Recorded with an exact launch time of 14:57:00 on September 19, 1974.
- **Kosmos-3M Vehicle:** An example of a payload delivered by the Russian Kosmos-3M rocket.
- **Plesetsk Site 132:** Launched from a specific launch complex within the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Body

### Mission Overview
Cosmos 681 was a man-made object launched into orbit, classified technically as an instance of the Strela-1M system. Following standard Soviet nomenclature of the time, it was designated "Kosmos" along with a sequential number. The launch was a significant event recorded in space flight catalogs.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **September 19, 1974**. The mission originated from the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**, a primary launch facility used heavily during the Soviet era.

The launch vehicle employed was the **Kosmos-3M**, a two-stage rocket derived from the R-14 (SS-5 Skean) ballistic missile. This rocket was a standard delivery system for Kosmos-series satellites. The precise moment of the rocket launch was recorded at **14:57:00**.

### Identification and Tracking
To distinguish it from other objects in orbit, Cosmos 681 was assigned specific identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1974-072E (International designator).
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 07439 (NORAD/US Space Command ID).
- **Wolfram Language Code:** Entity["Satellite", "07439"].

These identifiers allow the object to be tracked and referenced in international space registries and academic databases. The presence of references such as `{'P248': 'Q6272367'}` indicates its inclusion in structured knowledge bases like Wikidata.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report