# Kosmos 1604

> Russian military early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3398321](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3398321)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_1604)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-1604

## Summary  
Kosmos 1604 is a Russian military early warning satellite launched in 1984 as part of the US-K series. It was designed to detect missile launches and provide strategic defense capabilities. The satellite was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Molniya-M rocket.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: October 4, 1984, at 19:49:13 UTC.  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Molniya-M rocket.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1984-107A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 15350.  
- **Class**: US-K, a series of Soviet and Russian early warning satellites.  
- **Purpose**: Military early warning for missile detection.  
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 1604?  
A: Kosmos 1604 was a military early warning satellite designed to detect missile launches and provide strategic defense for the Soviet Union (later Russia).  

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 1604 launched?  
A: It was launched on October 4, 1984, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16 in Russia.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Kosmos 1604?  
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Molniya-M rocket, a Soviet space launcher.  

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 1604 played a critical role in the Soviet and Russian early warning satellite network, part of a broader strategy to monitor potential missile threats during the Cold War. Early warning satellites like Kosmos 1604 were essential for maintaining nuclear deterrence by providing advance notice of incoming attacks. Its launch underscored the technological and military competition between superpowers, contributing to the balance of power during a tense geopolitical era. The US-K series, including Kosmos 1604, remains a foundational component of Russia's space-based defense infrastructure.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Role**: Part of the US-K series, a key component of Soviet/Russian missile early warning systems.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Used the Molniya-M rocket, a reliable Soviet launcher for high-inclination orbits.  
- **Historical Context**: Launched during the Cold War, reflecting the strategic importance of space-based surveillance.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: October 4, 1984.  
- **Time**: 19:49:13 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 16, a major Soviet/Russian launch facility.  
- **Vehicle**: Molniya-M rocket, known for launching satellites into highly elliptical orbits.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: US-K, a series of early warning satellites operated by the Soviet Union and later Russia.  
- **Function**: Designed to detect ballistic missile launches using infrared sensors.  

### Operational Context  
- **Mission**: Part of the Oko (Eye) program, a network of satellites providing continuous missile launch monitoring.  
- **Legacy**: Contributed to the development of modern Russian early warning systems, such as the Kupol and EKS programs.  

### Technical Identifiers  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1984-107A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 15350.  
- **Alternative Names**: Referred to simply as Kosmos 1604 in public records.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report