# Kosmos 481

> Soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53577](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53577)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_481)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-481

## Summary  
Kosmos 481 was a Soviet satellite launched on March 25, 1972, as part of the DSZ–P1–Ju class of spacecraft. It was developed by the Pivdenne Design Office and launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-2I rocket. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 1972-020A and SCN number 05906.

## Key Facts  
- Launched on March 25, 1972, at 10:39:59 UTC  
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133  
- Instance of: DSZ–P1–Ju satellite class  
- Manufacturer: Pivdenne Design Office  
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-2I carrier rocket  
- Alternate designations: DS-P1-Yu No.46, Kosmos 481  
- COSPAR ID: 1972-020A  
- SCN number: 05906  
- Wikidata item: Q6272367  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 481?  
A: Kosmos 481 belonged to the DSZ–P1–Ju class, which was typically used for military reconnaissance or experimental missions by the Soviet Union. Specific mission details are not publicly disclosed.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 481 launched?  
A: Kosmos 481 was launched on March 25, 1972, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133 at 10:39:59 UTC.

### Q: Who manufactured Kosmos 481?  
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, based in Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet space program.

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 481 represents a component of the Soviet Union's extensive space-based surveillance and technology development efforts during the Cold War era. As part of the DSZ–P1–Ju series, it contributed to the USSR’s capability to conduct classified missions, likely involving intelligence gathering or electronic monitoring. Its launch reflects the technological and strategic priorities of the Soviet space program in the early 1970s, particularly in advancing orbital capabilities for defense-related applications.

## Notable For  
- Part of the DSZ–P1–Ju satellite class, used for specialized Soviet military missions  
- One of multiple Kosmos-labeled missions launched under the secretive Soviet space program  
- Launched using the Kosmos-2I rocket, a commonly used Soviet-era launch vehicle  
- Manufactured by Pivdenne Design Office, a key contributor to Soviet space hardware  
- Identified by multiple international tracking systems including COSPAR and SCN  

## Body  

### Mission Overview  
Kosmos 481 was a Soviet satellite launched during the height of the Cold War. It was part of the DSZ–P1–Ju class, a designation associated with satellites designed for specific military or experimental purposes. While detailed information about its mission remains classified, satellites in this category were often involved in reconnaissance or signal intelligence operations.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class**: DSZ–P1–Ju  
- **Manufacturer**: Pivdenne Design Office  
- **Launch Mass**: Not publicly disclosed  
- **Orbit**: Likely low Earth orbit (specific parameters unknown)  

### Launch Details  
- **Date**: March 25, 1972  
- **Time**: 10:39:59 UTC  
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 133  
- **Rocket**: Kosmos-2I (a two-stage liquid-fueled launch vehicle)  

### Identifiers  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1972-020A  
- **SCN Number**: 05906  
- **Aliases**: DS-P1-Yu No.46, Kosmos 481  

### Historical Context  
The Kosmos program was a broad umbrella under which the Soviet Union conducted numerous space missions, many of them military in nature. Kosmos 481 fits within this framework as one of dozens of satellites launched under the program during the 1970s. Its development and deployment highlight the Soviet emphasis on dual-use space technologies that supported both civilian and defense objectives.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013