# Cosmos 708
**Wikidata**: [Q12753961](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753961)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-708

## Summary
Cosmos 708 was a Soviet military satellite launched on February 12, 1975, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-3M rocket. It is part of the Kosmos series of Soviet and Russian military satellites. The satellite was assigned the international designation 1975-012A and the catalog number 07663.

## Key Facts
- Launch date: February 12, 1975
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M rocket
- Satellite designation: 1975-012A (COSPAR ID)
- Catalog number: 07663
- Satellite class: Kosmos (Soviet/Russian military satellite series)
- Launch time: 03:30:00 UTC
- Wikipedia languages: Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/120txjx2
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "07663"]

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 708?
A: Cosmos 708 was a Soviet military satellite, part of the Kosmos series of reconnaissance and military spacecraft operated by the Soviet Union and later Russia.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 708 launched?
A: Cosmos 708 was launched on February 12, 1975, at 03:30:00 UTC from Site 132 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 708?
A: Cosmos 708 was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Russian launch vehicle that was also developed and used in the Soviet era.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 708 represents a significant component of the Soviet Union's military space program during the Cold War era. As part of the extensive Kosmos series, it contributed to the Soviet military's reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities from orbit. The Kosmos satellites, including Cosmos 708, were crucial for gathering intelligence, monitoring military activities, and supporting strategic defense initiatives. The use of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a major launch site for military satellites, underscores the strategic importance of these missions. Cosmos 708's launch also demonstrates the reliability and continued use of the Kosmos-3M rocket, which played a key role in deploying numerous Soviet and Russian military satellites over several decades. Understanding satellites like Cosmos 708 provides insight into the technological and strategic developments in space-based military operations during a critical period of the Cold War.

## Notable For
- Military reconnaissance satellite in the extensive Kosmos series
- Launched from the strategic Plesetsk Cosmodrome military launch site
- Deployed using the reliable Kosmos-3M rocket
- Part of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based intelligence gathering efforts
- International designation 1975-012A and catalog number 07663 for tracking and identification

## Body
### Launch Details
Cosmos 708 was launched on February 12, 1975, at 03:30:00 UTC from Site 132 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The Plesetsk Cosmodrome, located in northern Russia, was the primary launch site for Soviet military satellites and remained classified for many years. The launch vehicle used was the Kosmos-3M, a Russian and formerly Soviet rocket that was widely employed for deploying military and scientific satellites.

### Satellite Classification
Cosmos 708 belongs to the Kosmos series, a large group of satellites developed and operated by the Soviet Union and later Russia for military purposes. The Kosmos designation was applied to a wide variety of satellite types, including reconnaissance, electronic intelligence, navigation, and experimental spacecraft. Cosmos 708's specific mission details remain classified, but it is understood to have been a military satellite, likely involved in reconnaissance or surveillance.

### Identification and Tracking
The satellite was assigned the COSPAR ID 1975-012A, which is the international designation used for cataloging space objects. It also received the catalog number 07663 from the US Space Command's satellite tracking system. These identifiers are essential for tracking the satellite's orbit and status over time.

### Legacy and Context
As part of the Kosmos series, Cosmos 708 contributed to the Soviet Union's extensive space-based military infrastructure. The series included hundreds of satellites launched over several decades, playing a crucial role in Cold War-era intelligence and strategic operations. The continued use of the Kosmos-3M rocket for such launches highlights the vehicle's reliability and importance in the Soviet and Russian space programs.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report