# Cosmos 974
**Wikidata**: [Q12907840](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907840)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-974

## Summary
Cosmos 974 was a Soviet satellite launched on January 6, 1978, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 using a Soyuz-U rocket. It was part of the Zenit-4МКМ satellite class and cataloged with SCN number 10554.

## Key Facts
- Cosmos 974 (also known as Kosmos 974) had SCN (Satellite Catalog Number) 10554 and COSPAR ID 1978-001A
- Launched on January 6, 1978, at 15:50:00 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- Utilized a Soyuz-U rocket as its launch vehicle
- Was an instance of the Zenit-4МКМ satellite class
- Has 3 Wikipedia site links available in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr)
- The satellite's Wolfram Language entity code is Entity["Satellite", "10554"]
- Represents part of the Soviet space program's satellite development efforts
- The Zenit-4МКМ class was a specific variant of reconnaissance satellites

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Cosmos 974?
A: Cosmos 974 was a Soviet satellite belonging to the Zenit-4МКМ class, which were typically reconnaissance satellites. As with many military satellites in the Cosmos series, its specific operational objectives remain classified.

### Q: Where and when was Cosmos 974 launched?
A: Cosmos 974 was launched on January 6, 1978, at 15:50:00 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, which was the primary Soviet spaceport for polar orbit launches during the Cold War era.

### Q: What rocket launched Cosmos 974 into orbit?
A: Cosmos 974 was delivered to orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket, which was a Universal design variant of the Soyuz rocket family, known for its reliability in various space missions.

### Q: How can I find more information about Cosmos 974?
A: Information about Cosmos 974 is available in Wikipedia articles in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian languages. It can also be referenced using its SCN number 10554 or COSPAR ID 1978-001A.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 974 represents a significant achievement in Soviet satellite technology during the Cold War era, showcasing the nation's capabilities in developing and deploying advanced reconnaissance satellites. As part of the Zenit-4МКМ class, it contributed to the Soviet Union's intelligence-gathering capabilities, which played a crucial role in global geopolitical dynamics during the late 1970s. The mission's successful deployment using a Soyuz-U rocket demonstrated the reliability and versatility of this launch vehicle, which became a workhorse for various Soviet space programs. The satellite's continued presence in orbit, along with its cataloging and tracking (under SCN 10554), also reflects the systematic approach of the Soviet space program to maintaining and documenting their space assets.

## Notable For
- Being cataloged with SCN number 10554, making it part of the comprehensive Soviet satellite tracking system
- Utilizing the reliable Soyuz-U launch vehicle, which became a standard for many Soviet space missions
- Being launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, the primary Soviet launch site for satellites in polar orbits
- Representing the Zenit-4МКМ class of satellites, which specialized in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering
- Having documentation available in multiple Slavic languages, reflecting the international interest in Soviet space technology

## Body
### Basic Information
Cosmos 974 was a Soviet satellite launched on January 6, 1978, at 15:50:00 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43. The satellite had the SCN (Satellite Catalog Number) 10554 and the COSPAR ID 1978-001A. It is also known by the alternative name "Kosmos 974" in some sources.

### Technical Specifications
- Class: Zenit-4МКМ
- Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-U (Universal design variant)
- Launch Site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- Catalog Information:
  - SCN: 10554
  - COSPAR ID: 1978-001A
  - Wolfram Language Entity Code: Entity["Satellite", "10554"]

### Documentation and References
- Has 3 Wikipedia site links available in Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr)
- Referenced in academic and official sources with various identifiers
- Part of the Soviet Cosmos series of satellites, which numbered thousands of launches during the Cold War era

### Relationship to Other Entities
- Belongs to the Zenit-4МКМ satellite class
- Launched using the Soyuz-U rocket design variant
- Associated with the Soviet Union space program
- Connected to the broader Soviet intelligence satellite network

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report