# Cosmos 870
**Wikidata**: [Q12907818](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907818)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-870

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Cosmos 870**:

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## Summary  
Cosmos 870 was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched in 1976 as part of the Tselina-OM program. It was designed to intercept electronic communications and operated alongside other Soviet reconnaissance satellites. The mission was launched aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** December 2, 1976 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1976-115A ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200386))  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 09573 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M rocket ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Satellite Class:** Tselina-OM (signals intelligence/SIGINT) ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Alternative Name:** Kosmos 870  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch at 00:17:00 UTC ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 870?  
A: Cosmos 870 was a Soviet signals intelligence (SIGINT) satellite designed to intercept and analyze electronic communications for military reconnaissance.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 870 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 in the Soviet Union (now Russia).  

### Q: What rocket carried Cosmos 870 into orbit?  
A: It was launched aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet orbital launch vehicle.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 870 played a crucial role in Cold War-era electronic surveillance, contributing to Soviet military intelligence efforts. As part of the Tselina-OM program, it helped monitor radio signals and electronic transmissions from foreign military installations, providing strategic insights. Its successful deployment reinforced Soviet capabilities in space-based reconnaissance, a key aspect of Cold War competition. While overshadowed by later advancements, Cosmos 870 exemplifies the technological and geopolitical tensions of its time.  

## Notable For  
- **Early SIGINT Satellite:** Part of the Soviet Union's efforts to expand electronic surveillance capabilities in space.  
- **Cold War Significance:** Operated during heightened tensions between the USSR and NATO allies.  
- **Reliable Launch Vehicle:** Demonstrated the effectiveness of the Kosmos-3M rocket for military payloads.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** December 2, 1976, at 00:17:00 UTC ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Rocket:** Kosmos-3M (11K65M), a two-stage liquid-fueled launch vehicle ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

### Mission Profile  
- **Satellite Type:** Tselina-OM-class SIGINT satellite ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Orbit:** Likely low Earth orbit (exact parameters unconfirmed in available sources)  

### Historical Context  
- **Cold War Era:** Part of broader Soviet efforts to counter U.S. and NATO electronic intelligence ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Legacy:** Contributed to later Soviet/Russian SIGINT satellite developments  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material without fabrication. Let me know if further refinements are needed!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report