# Cosmos 998
**Wikidata**: [Q12754103](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754103)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-998

## Summary
Cosmos 998 was a military satellite launched by the Soviet Union on March 30, 1978. Designated with the COSPAR ID 1978-032B, it was deployed using a Proton-K carrier rocket. It is also known by the alias Kosmos 998.

## Key Facts
*   **Entity Type:** Military satellite.
*   **Launch Date:** March 30, 1978.
*   **Launch Time:** 00:00:00.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K (a Russian/Soviet carrier rocket).
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1978-032B.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 10771.
*   **Aliases:** Kosmos 998.
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "10771"]`.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Cosmos 998?
A: Cosmos 998 was an artificial satellite used for military purposes. It was launched in 1978 under the Soviet Kosmos program.

### Q: When was Cosmos 998 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on March 30, 1978, at 00:00:00.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 998?
A: It was launched aboard a Proton-K rocket, a heavy-lift launch vehicle used by Russia and the former Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 998 represents a specific data point in the history of Soviet military space operations during the Cold War. While the specific functional details of its payload are not detailed in the provided source, its classification as a military satellite underscores the strategic importance of space-based assets for national defense during the late 1970s.

The entry is significant for researchers and databases tracking space objects because it is fully cataloged with distinct identifiers. Its launch aboard the Proton-K—a prominent Russian/Soviet carrier rocket—places it within the lineage of heavy-lift missions designed to place substantial payloads into orbit. The existence of unique identifiers like the COSPAR ID (1978-032B) and the Satellite Catalog Number (10771) ensures that Cosmos 998 remains a verifiable and trackable object in the history of spaceflight, distinguishable from the thousands of other objects launched during the era.

## Notable For
*   **Military Classification:** Identified specifically as a military satellite, distinct from civilian or scientific missions.
*   **Proton-K Launch:** Utilized the Proton-K launch vehicle, a workhorse of the Soviet/Russian space program.
*   **Cataloging:** Possesses a specific Satellite Catalog Number (10771) and COSPAR ID (1978-032B), ensuring precise tracking in global space databases.
*   **Wolfram Integration:** Recognized as a distinct entity within the Wolfram Language database (`Entity["Satellite", "10771"]`).

## Body

### Mission Profile
Cosmos 998 was an instance of a military satellite. The significant event marking its deployment was a rocket launch that took place on March 30, 1978. The launch event is recorded with a precise time of 00:00:00.

### Technical Identifiers
The satellite is cataloged in international databases with the following specific identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1978-032B
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 10771

These identifiers allow the object to be distinguished from other debris and satellites in orbit.

### Launch System
The vehicle responsible for placing Cosmos 998 into orbit was the Proton-K. This carrier rocket is described as a Russian (and previously Soviet) expendable launch system. The Proton-K was a critical component of Soviet space infrastructure, frequently used for military and heavy payloads.

### Aliases and Data
The satellite is also referred to as "Kosmos 998." It has a sitelink count of 3 across various Wikipedia languages (Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian), indicating a regional documentation presence. It is formally recognized in computational knowledge bases, such as the Wolfram Language, under the code `Entity["Satellite", "10771"]`.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report