# Cosmos 978
**Wikidata**: [Q13566946](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566946)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-978

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Cosmos 978** based on the provided source material:

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## Summary  
Cosmos 978 is a Soviet military communications satellite launched in 1978 as part of the Strela-1M constellation. It was deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and designated with the COSPAR ID 1978-005C.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** January 10, 1978 ([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))  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1978-005C ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200386))  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 10585 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Class:** Strela-1M ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch at 20:51 UTC on January 10, 1978 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs  
### Q: What type of satellite is Cosmos 978?  
A: Cosmos 978 is a military communications satellite belonging to the Strela-1M class, designed for secure Soviet military communications.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 978 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, a major Soviet/Russian spaceport used for military and scientific missions.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 978?  
A: The Kosmos-3M, a reliable Soviet launch vehicle, was used to deploy Cosmos 978 into orbit.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 978 was part of the Strela-1M constellation, a critical component of Soviet military communications during the Cold War. These satellites enabled secure, low-latency messaging for Soviet armed forces, ensuring operational coordination in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions. The use of the Kosmos-3M rocket underscored the Soviet Union's reliance on proven launch systems for military payloads. While not individually groundbreaking, satellites like Cosmos 978 contributed to the broader strategic infrastructure of the USSR's space-based defense network.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Role:** Part of the Strela-1M constellation, a key Soviet military communications system.  
- **Launch Precision:** Deployed successfully via the Kosmos-3M, a workhorse of Soviet space launches.  
- **Historical Context:** Operated during the Cold War, reflecting the era's emphasis on secure military space assets.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date:** January 10, 1978  
- **Time:** 20:51 UTC  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class:** Strela-1M  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M  
- **Catalog Number:** 10585  

### Mission Context  
- **Purpose:** Military communications  
- **Constellation:** One of multiple Strela-1M satellites deployed for redundancy and coverage.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material without fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report