# Cosmos 961
**Wikidata**: [Q12754083](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754083)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-961

## Summary
Cosmos 961 is a Soviet military satellite launched on October 26, 1977, as part of the Kosmos series, which comprised numerous Soviet and Russian military satellites. It was deployed using a Tsyklon-2 rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90, contributing to the USSR's space-based military capabilities during the Cold War.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 26, 1977, at 05:14:00 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-2, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle.
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1977-104A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 10434.
- **Classification**: Part of the Kosmos satellite series, primarily used for military purposes.
- **Mission Context**: One of 30+ Kosmos satellites linked to Soviet military operations.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Cosmos 961 launched?
A: Cosmos 961 was launched on October 26, 1977, at 05:14:00 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 961?
A: The satellite was deployed using a Tsyklon-2 launch vehicle, a Soviet-era rocket later operated by Ukraine.

### Q: What is the significance of the Kosmos satellite series?
A: The Kosmos series included numerous Soviet and Russian military satellites, supporting reconnaissance, communication, and navigation missions during the Cold War.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 961 represents a component of the Soviet Union’s expansive military space program during the Cold War. As part of the Kosmos series, it underscored the USSR’s reliance on space-based assets for strategic operations, including surveillance and communications. The use of the Tsyklon-2 rocket highlighted the technological infrastructure developed to maintain a competitive edge in space. While specific mission details remain undisclosed, its launch in 1977 contextualizes the broader geopolitical tensions of the era, where satellite deployments played critical roles in intelligence gathering and military preparedness.

## Notable For
- **Military Role**: Part of a classified satellite program supporting Soviet defense strategies.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Utilized the Tsyklon-2, a reliable rocket for military payloads.
- **Historical Context**: Launched during the height of the Cold War space race, reflecting Soviet investment in orbital military infrastructure.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: October 26, 1977, at 05:14:00 UTC.
- **Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90, a key Soviet launch facility.
- **Rocket**: Tsyklon-2 (Cyclone-2), designed for polar-orbit military satellite deployments.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Designation**: COSPAR ID 1977-104A, SCN 10434.
- **Series**: Kosmos, a broad category of Soviet/Russian satellites with military, scientific, or experimental roles.

### Mission Context
- **Purpose**: Likely involved in reconnaissance, signals intelligence, or communications, consistent with the Kosmos series’ military focus.
- **Secrecy**: Typical of Cold War-era satellite missions, operational details were not publicly disclosed.

### Legacy
- **Program Impact**: Contributed to the Kosmos series’ reputation as a cornerstone of Soviet space-based military operations.
- **Historical Significance**: Emblematic of the USSR’s efforts to leverage space technology for national security during the 1970s.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report