# Cosmos 980
**Wikidata**: [Q12754093](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754093)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-980

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Cosmos 980** based on the provided source material:

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## Summary  
Cosmos 980 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 Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132. The satellite served as part of a low-orbit system for secure military communications.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** January 10, 1978  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1978-005E  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 10587  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M rocket  
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132  
- **Satellite Class:** Strela-1M  
- **Operator:** Soviet Union (later Russia)  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch at 20:51:00 UTC  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 980?  
A: Cosmos 980 was a military communications satellite designed to facilitate secure messaging for Soviet armed forces as part of the Strela-1M network.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 980 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, a major Soviet/Russian spaceport.  

### Q: What rocket carried Cosmos 980 into orbit?  
A: A Kosmos-3M rocket was used for its deployment.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 980 was part of the Strela-1M system, a critical component of Soviet military communications infrastructure during the Cold War. These satellites enabled secure, low-latency messaging for tactical military operations, reducing reliance on vulnerable ground-based systems. Its launch underscored the Soviet Union’s investment in space-based military technology, contributing to the broader strategic competition with NATO. While now obsolete, the Strela-1M series laid groundwork for later secure satellite networks.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Role:** Operated as part of a classified Soviet communications network.  
- **Launch Precision:** Deployed alongside other Strela-1M satellites in a coordinated mission.  
- **Historical Context:** Launched during heightened Cold War tensions, reflecting space militarization efforts.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date:** January 10, 1978  
- **Time:** 20:51:00 UTC  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class:** Strela-1M (military communications satellite)  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M, a two-stage Russian rocket.  

### Operational Context  
- Part of a constellation providing global coverage for Soviet military communications.  
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) deployment typical for tactical relay systems.  

### Legacy  
- Predecessor to modern secure military satellite networks.  
- Contributed to Soviet space-based command-and-control capabilities.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material, avoiding fabrication or extrapolation. Let me know if further refinements are needed.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report