# Cosmos 972
**Wikidata**: [Q12754088](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754088)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-972

## Summary
Cosmos 972 is a Soviet military satellite launched on December 27, 1977, as part of the extensive Kosmos series. It was deployed into orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Tsyklon-3 expendable launch vehicle.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** December 27, 1977
- **Launch Vehicle:** Tsyklon-3 (Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle)
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32
- **Classification:** Kosmos series (Soviet and Russian military satellites)
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 10539
- **COSPAR ID:** 1977-123A
- **Launch Time:** 08:00:00
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "10539"]

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 972?
A: Cosmos 972 is an instance of the Kosmos series, which is a broad class of Soviet and Russian military satellites. It was launched during the Soviet era for military purposes.

### Q: Which rocket was used to launch Cosmos 972?
A: The satellite was launched using a Tsyklon-3, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle. This rocket was the primary vehicle used to deliver the satellite to its orbital destination.

### Q: Where was Cosmos 972 launched from?
A: The launch took place at Site 32 of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The event occurred at 08:00:00 on December 27, 1977.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 972 represents a specific operational milestone within the Soviet Union's military space program during the late 1970s. As a member of the Kosmos series, it belongs to a massive lineage of satellites that formed the backbone of Soviet orbital military infrastructure. The launch is significant for its use of the Tsyklon-3, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle, which highlights the technical collaboration and aerospace capabilities of that era. 

The satellite's deployment from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 underscores the importance of this specific launch facility in maintaining a persistent military presence in space. While individual mission objectives for Kosmos satellites were often part of a broader classified framework, the successful deployment of Cosmos 972 (SCN 10539) contributed to the cumulative data and orbital presence required by the Soviet military. It remains a point of reference for historians and researchers tracking the evolution of the Tsyklon-3 launch system and the historical cadence of Soviet satellite deployments.

## Notable For
- **Kosmos Series Membership:** Part of the long-running Soviet and Russian military satellite program.
- **Tsyklon-3 Payload:** Served as a payload for the Tsyklon-3, a notable Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle.
- **Plesetsk Origin:** Launched from Site 32 of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a key site for Soviet military space operations.
- **International Cataloging:** Recognized globally by the COSPAR ID 1977-123A and Satellite Catalog Number 10539.

## Body

### Mission Overview
Cosmos 972 was successfully launched into space on December 27, 1977. The launch was conducted at 08:00:00 UTC. The mission utilized the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically Site 32, which was a primary location for Soviet military satellite deployments.

### Technical Classification
The satellite is categorized as an "instance of Kosmos." The Kosmos designation was a generic name given to a wide variety of Soviet satellites, primarily those with military applications. 
- **Launch Vehicle:** The Tsyklon-3 rocket, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle, was responsible for the delivery of the satellite.
- **Identification:** The satellite is tracked in international databases under the COSPAR ID 1977-123A and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 10539.

### Documentation and Data
Cosmos 972 is documented across various academic and technical sources. It is represented in the Wolfram Language as Entity["Satellite", "10539"]. Information regarding the satellite is also available in several languages, including Serbian, Serbo-Croatian, and Macedonian, reflecting its historical origin within the Eastern Bloc's sphere of influence.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report