# Kosmos 1698

> Russian military early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3398342](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3398342)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_1698)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-1698

## Summary
Kosmos 1698 is a Russian military early warning satellite launched in 1985. It belongs to the US-K series of Soviet and Russian satellites designed for missile detection and operates as part of the country's strategic defense system.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 22, 1985  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1985-098A  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Molniya-M rocket  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 16183  
- **Class**: US-K series (Soviet/Russian early warning satellites)  
- **Purpose**: Military early warning for missile detection  
- **Significant Event**: Launched at 20:24:07 UTC  

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 1698?  
A: Kosmos 1698 was a military early warning satellite designed to detect missile launches as part of Russia's strategic defense system.  

### Q: What rocket launched Kosmos 1698?  
A: It was launched aboard a Molniya-M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.  

### Q: Is Kosmos 1698 still operational?  
A: While its exact operational status is not publicly confirmed, early warning satellites like Kosmos 1698 typically have limited lifespans and are replaced by newer systems.  

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 1698 played a critical role in Russia's Cold War-era early warning network, providing strategic surveillance against potential missile threats. As part of the US-K series, it contributed to nuclear deterrence by enabling rapid detection of launches, reducing the risk of surprise attacks. Its deployment underscores the importance of space-based military assets in global security and highlights the technological competition between superpowers during the late 20th century.  

## Notable For  
- **Early Warning Role**: Key component of Russia's missile detection infrastructure.  
- **Cold War Legacy**: Reflects Soviet/Russian military space capabilities during heightened tensions.  
- **Molniya-M Launch**: Demonstrated the reliability of Soviet launch vehicles for military payloads.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: October 22, 1985  
- **Time**: 20:24:07 UTC  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 (a major Soviet/Russian launch facility)  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class**: US-K series, a lineage of early warning satellites developed by the Soviet Union and later Russia.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Molniya-M, a derivative of the R-7 rocket family, known for its use in military and scientific missions.  

### Operational Context  
- Part of Russia's Oko (Eye) program, which monitored ballistic missile launches from highly elliptical orbits.  
- Contributed to the broader Soviet space defense strategy during the Cold War.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report