# Kosmos 389

> Soviet signals intelligence satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q12753827](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753827)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-389

## Summary
Kosmos 389 was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched in 1970 to collect electronic intelligence. It belonged to the Tselina-D class of satellites, designed for monitoring foreign radar and communication systems. The satellite was launched into orbit using a Vostok-2M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Kosmos 389 (also known as Cosmos 389)
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Launch date: December 18, 1970, at 16:15 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41
- Launch vehicle: Vostok-2M expendable carrier rocket
- Satellite class: Tselina-D signals intelligence satellite
- COSPAR ID: 1970-113A
- SCN (Space Command Number): 04813
- Wikidata description: Soviet signals intelligence satellite

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 389?
A: Kosmos 389 was a signals intelligence satellite used by the Soviet Union to monitor foreign electronic emissions such as radar and communications. It collected electronic intelligence (ELINT) to support military and strategic operations.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 389 launched?
A: Kosmos 389 was launched on December 18, 1970, at 16:15 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 in the Soviet Union. The launch was conducted using a Vostok-2M carrier rocket.

### Q: What type of satellite is Kosmos 389?
A: Kosmos 389 is classified as a Tselina-D signals intelligence satellite. These satellites were developed specifically for gathering electronic intelligence from Earth-based emitters.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 389 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based intelligence-gathering capabilities. As part of the Tselina-D program, it contributed to the USSR’s ability to monitor NATO and other adversaries' radar installations and communication networks from orbit. Its deployment reflects the technological arms race between global superpowers during the 1960s and 1970s, where space assets played an increasingly critical role in national security strategies. Satellites like Kosmos 389 enabled passive surveillance without violating territorial airspace, offering strategic advantages in geopolitical reconnaissance efforts.

## Notable For
- Being part of the classified Tselina-D series of Soviet ELINT satellites
- One of multiple Kosmos missions dedicated to signals intelligence collection
- Launched during a period of intensified Soviet space reconnaissance activity
- Demonstrates use of the Vostok-2M launch system for military payloads
- Identified by SCN code 04813 in international tracking databases

## Body

### Mission Overview
Kosmos 389 was a Soviet satellite launched primarily for electronic signal interception purposes. Part of the broader Kosmos naming convention applied to various Soviet spacecraft, Kosmos 389 had the specific mission of collecting electronic intelligence (ELINT), focusing on detecting and analyzing foreign radar and communication signals.

### Technical Classification
The satellite was categorized under the Tselina-D class, which consisted of specialized signals intelligence platforms operated by the Soviet Union. These satellites were typically placed into low Earth orbits to maximize their effectiveness in intercepting ground-based transmissions.

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date:** December 18, 1970
- **Time:** 16:15 UTC
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 41
- **Vehicle:** Vostok-2M
This launch occurred during a phase of rapid expansion in Soviet military space programs aimed at enhancing strategic reconnaissance capabilities.

### Identification and Tracking
Kosmos 389 has been assigned several standard identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1970-113A
- **SCN (Space Command Number):** 04813
These codes are used internationally for cataloging and tracking orbital objects.

### Historical Context
As part of the wider Kosmos program, Kosmos 389 illustrates how the Soviet Union utilized dual-use technologies—those with both civilian and military applications—to advance its geopolitical objectives through covert means. Its operational life likely involved relaying intercepted data back to ground stations for analysis, contributing to Soviet defense planning and situational awareness abroad.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report