# Cosmos 794
**Wikidata**: [Q13566916](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566916)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-794

## Summary  
Cosmos 794 (also written Kosmos 794) was a Soviet Strela‑1M communications satellite launched on 28 January 1976 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle. It is catalogued internationally as COSPAR 1976‑008D and carries the Satellite Catalog Number 08610.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 28 January 1976 (10:39:01 UTC)【source】.  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132, Soviet Union【source】.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M rocket, a Soviet‑built launch system【source】.  
- **Satellite class:** Strela‑1M, a series of low‑Earth‑orbit communications satellites【source】.  
- **International designators:** COSPAR 1976‑008D; Satellite Catalog Number 08610【source】.  
- **Alternative name:** Kosmos 794 (alias)【source】.  
- **Country of origin:** Soviet Union (now Russia)【source】.  
- **Wikidata entry:** Q‑value includes 3 language Wikipedia links (Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, Serbian)【source】.  
- **Wolfram Language entity code:** `Entity["Satellite", "08610"]`【source】.

## FAQs  
### Q: What was Cosmos 794?  
A: Cosmos 794 was a Soviet Strela‑1M communications satellite launched in early 1976 to operate in low Earth orbit.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 794 launched?  
A: It lifted off on 28 January 1976 at 10:39:01 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome’s Site 132 using a Kosmos‑3M rocket.

### Q: What launch vehicle carried Cosmos 794 into space?  
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle, a two‑stage rocket used by the Soviet Union for a variety of payloads.

### Q: How is Cosmos 794 identified internationally?  
A: It is catalogued as COSPAR 1976‑008D and assigned the Satellite Catalog Number 08610.

### Q: What class of satellite does Cosmos 794 belong to?  
A: It belongs to the Strela‑1M class, a series of Soviet communications satellites.

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 794 exemplifies the Soviet Union’s extensive low‑Earth‑orbit communications network during the Cold War era. As a Strela‑1M satellite, it contributed to the development of store‑and‑forward messaging capabilities that supported both military and civilian communications across the vast Soviet territory. Its launch aboard the reliable Kosmos‑3M rocket underscores the robustness of Soviet launch infrastructure, which enabled frequent deployments of small satellites for rapid data relay. Understanding Cosmos 794’s specifications and operational context helps historians and engineers trace the evolution of satellite communications technology, illustrating how early constellations laid groundwork for modern global networking systems. Moreover, its documented launch details provide valuable data points for orbital debris tracking and space situational awareness initiatives today.

## Notable For  
- First‑generation Strela‑1M satellite launched from Plesetsk in 1976.  
- Utilised the Kosmos‑3M launch vehicle, a workhorse of Soviet small‑satellite missions.  
- Assigned the international identifiers COSPAR 1976‑008D and Satellite Catalog 08610, facilitating global tracking.  
- Part of a broader Soviet communications constellation that enhanced real‑time data exchange across the USSR.  
- Documented launch time (10:39:01 UTC) provides precise historical reference for orbital mechanics analyses.

## Body  

### Launch Overview  
- **Date & Time:** 28 January 1976, 10:39:01 UTC.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132, located in the Russian north‑west.  
- **Vehicle:** Kosmos‑3M, a two‑stage liquid‑propellant rocket developed by the Soviet Union.  

### Satellite Classification  
- **Class:** Strela‑1M, a series of low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) communications satellites.  
- **Purpose:** Store‑and‑forward messaging, supporting both military and civilian communications (inferred from class).  

### Identification Numbers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1976‑008D – the standard international designation for space objects.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 08610 – used by tracking agencies worldwide.  

### International Context  
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union (now Russia).  
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Articles exist in Macedonian, Serbo‑Croatian, and Serbian languages, indicating regional interest.  

### Technical Reference  
- **Wolfram Language Entity:** `Entity["Satellite", "08610"]` – enables programmatic access to orbital data.  

### Legacy  
Cosmos 794’s successful deployment contributed to the operational readiness of the Strela network, demonstrating the Soviet capability to maintain a persistent, low‑cost communications constellation. Its launch data continues to serve as a reference point for space historians and analysts monitoring the long‑term evolution of satellite constellations.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report