# Cosmos 983
**Wikidata**: [Q13566948](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566948)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-983

## Summary
Cosmos 983 is a Soviet military communications satellite launched on January 10, 1978. It belongs to the Strela-1M class of satellites and was deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1978-005H and SCN number 10590.

## Key Facts
- Launched on January 10, 1978 at 20:51 UTC
- Launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132
- Part of the Strela-1M satellite class
- Launched aboard a Kosmos-3M carrier rocket
- COSPAR ID: 1978-005H
- SCN number: 10590
- Alternate name: Kosmos 983
- Country of origin: Soviet Union

## FAQs
### Q: What is Cosmos 983?
A: Cosmos 983 is a Soviet-era military communications satellite launched in 1978. It was part of the Strela-1M program designed for secure radio communication.

### Q: When was Cosmos 983 launched?
A: Cosmos 983 was launched on January 10, 1978, at 20:51 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What kind of satellite is Cosmos 983?
A: Cosmos 983 is a Strela-1M class satellite, which was used by the Soviet military for low-data-rate communications, often for strategic purposes.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 983 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based military infrastructure. As part of the Strela-1M program, it contributed to the USSR’s capability to maintain secure, long-range communications with ground forces and submarines. These satellites were notable for their role in enhancing command and control systems during a period of high geopolitical tension. Its launch reflects the broader militarization of space and the use of satellite technology for national defense strategies.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Strela-1M military satellite system
- Launching on a Kosmos-3M rocket, a reliable Soviet launcher
- Serving as one of many satellites in the extensive Kosmos naming series
- Supporting secure strategic communications for Soviet military operations
- Reflecting the technological priorities of the Soviet space program in the late 1970s

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 983 was launched as part of the Soviet Union's military satellite program under the standardized Kosmos designation. Satellites in this series often served dual purposes—scientific research and military applications—with Cosmos 983 specifically fulfilling a communications role within the Strela-1M constellation.

### Technical Classification
- **Class**: Strela-1M
- **Function**: Low-data-rate military communications
- **Operator**: Soviet military

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: January 10, 1978
- **Launch Time**: 20:51 UTC
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M
  - A two-stage liquid-fueled rocket commonly used for launching smaller payloads into low Earth orbit

### Identifiers
- **COSPAR ID**: 1978-005H
- **SCN Number**: 10590
- **Aliases**: Kosmos 983

### Operational Context
The Strela-1M system was developed to provide reliable, store-and-forward communication services for mobile units including submarines and remote ground stations. These satellites operated in low Earth orbit and formed a network enabling encrypted message relay across vast distances without reliance on terrestrial infrastructure.

### Legacy
Cosmos 983 is representative of the thousands of Kosmos-designated missions flown by the Soviet Union. While few details of its operational life are publicly known, its successful deployment underscores the scale and sophistication of Soviet space capabilities during the latter half of the 20th century.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report