# Cosmos 981
**Wikidata**: [Q12907843](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907843)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-981

## Summary
Cosmos 981 is a Soviet satellite launched in 1978 as part of the Strela-1M series, likely for military communications purposes.

## Key Facts
- Launched on January 10, 1978
- Launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- Launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket
- Has COSPAR ID 1978-005F
- Has SCN identifier 10588
- Belongs to the Strela-1M class of satellites

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 981?
A: It was likely used for military communications as part of the Strela-1M series.

### Q: When and from where was it launched?
A: It was launched on January 10, 1978 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.

### Q: What type of rocket launched it?
A: It was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 981 represents a component of the Soviet Union's military communications infrastructure during the Cold War era. As part of the Strela-1M series, it contributed to the Soviet military's ability to maintain secure communications networks, which was crucial for strategic operations and intelligence gathering. The satellite's deployment from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a major Soviet space launch facility, highlights the Soviet Union's extensive space program and its focus on military applications of space technology.

## Notable For
- It is classified as a Strela-1M satellite, which was specifically designed for military communications
- It represents the Soviet Union's continued development of military space capabilities during the Cold War
- It was launched using the Kosmos-3M rocket, a workhorse of Soviet space launches
- It has a unique SCN identifier (10588) that distinguishes it from other satellites in the same series
- It was deployed from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, one of the primary Soviet space launch sites

### Technical Specifications
- **Class**: Strela-1M (military communications satellite)
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- **Launch Time**: 20:51:00 (local time on January 10, 1978)
- **COSPAR ID**: 1978-005F
- **SCN Identifier**: 10588

### Launch Details
The launch occurred at 20:51:00 on January 10, 1978 from Site 132 of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, utilizing a Kosmos-3M rocket. This was part of the Soviet Union's ongoing program to deploy military communications satellites for strategic military applications. The satellite's deployment marked another step in the Soviet military's development of space-based communication capabilities during the Cold War period.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report