# Cosmos 944
**Wikidata**: [Q12754073](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754073)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-944

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Cosmos 944** based on the provided source material:

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## Summary  
Cosmos 944 is a Soviet military communications satellite launched in 1977 as part of the Strela-1M constellation. It was deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and served as a relay for secure military communications.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** August 24, 1977 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1977-079F ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200386))  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 10290 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Satellite Class:** Strela-1M ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch at 18:20 UTC on August 24, 1977 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 944?  
A: Cosmos 944 was a military communications satellite designed to relay secure signals for the Soviet armed forces as part of the Strela-1M network.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 944 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, a major Soviet/Russian spaceport ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367)).  

### Q: What rocket carried Cosmos 944 into orbit?  
A: A Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet launch vehicle commonly used for military and scientific payloads ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367)).  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 944 played a critical role in the Soviet Union’s military communications infrastructure during the Cold War. As part of the Strela-1M constellation, it ensured secure and reliable data transmission for military operations, reflecting the strategic importance of space-based communications in global defense systems. Its launch also demonstrated the reliability of the Kosmos-3M rocket, which became a workhorse for Soviet satellite deployments.  

## Notable For  
- One of multiple Strela-1M satellites launched to form a secure military communications network.  
- Deployed via the widely used Kosmos-3M rocket, known for its versatility in carrying military payloads.  
- Launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a key site for Soviet/Russian military space missions.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date:** August 24, 1977  
- **Time:** 18:20 UTC  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Satellite Class:** Strela-1M ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Catalog Number:** 10290 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

### Operational Context  
- Part of a broader Soviet effort to enhance secure military communications via satellite networks.  
- Contributed to the Strela-1M constellation’s role in Cold War-era defense strategies.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report