# Kosmos 485

> Soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53578](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53578)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_485)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-485

## Summary  
Kosmos 485 was a Soviet satellite launched on April 11, 1972, as part of the DSZ–P1–Ju program. It was designed for military reconnaissance and was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-2I rocket. The satellite is also known by the alternative designation DS-P1-Yu No.58.

## Key Facts  
- Launched on April 11, 1972 at 11:04:58 UTC  
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133  
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-2I  
- Satellite class: DSZ–P1–Ju  
- Alternate names: DS-P1-Yu No.58, Kosmos 485  
- COSPAR ID: 1972-028A  
- SCN identifier: 05938  
- Manufacturer: Pivdenne Design Office  
- Instance of: Military reconnaissance satellite  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 485?  
A: Kosmos 485 was a military reconnaissance satellite developed by the Soviet Union. Its primary function was to gather intelligence through optical surveillance from orbit.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 485 launched?  
A: Kosmos 485 was launched on April 11, 1972, at 11:04:58 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What kind of rocket was used to launch Kosmos 485?  
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-2I carrier rocket, a Soviet launch vehicle commonly used for military satellite missions during the Cold War era.

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 485 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based reconnaissance capabilities. As part of the DSZ–P1–Ju program, it contributed to the USSR’s efforts to monitor foreign military activities from orbit, particularly during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. These satellites were instrumental in advancing Soviet intelligence-gathering technology and played a behind-the-scenes role in shaping strategic decisions. Though details remain classified, Kosmos 485 exemplifies the technological competition between superpowers during the Space Race.

## Notable For  
- Part of the DSZ–P1–Ju military reconnaissance satellite series  
- One of many Kosmos-designated missions reflecting the Soviet Union's dual-use space program  
- Launched using the historically significant Kosmos-2I rocket  
- Manufactured by the Ukrainian-based Pivdenne Design Office  
- Identified by multiple tracking systems including SCN 05938 and COSPAR ID 1972-028A  

## Body  

### Mission Overview  
Kosmos 485 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite launched during the height of the Cold War. It belonged to the DSZ–P1–Ju class, which was specifically designed for optical intelligence gathering. These satellites were routinely designated under the "Kosmos" naming convention used by the USSR for various orbital missions.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class**: DSZ–P1–Ju  
- **SCN Identifier**: 05938  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1972-028A  
- **Alias**: DS-P1-Yu No.58  

The spacecraft was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, a major contributor to Soviet space technology development, particularly in Ukraine.

### Launch Details  
- **Launch Date**: April 11, 1972  
- **Launch Time**: 11:04:58 UTC  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 133  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-2I  

This mission marked another successful deployment in the Kosmos program, which served both civilian and military purposes throughout the Soviet era.

### Historical Context  
Kosmos 485 was one of several reconnaissance satellites launched by the Soviet Union to maintain strategic parity with the United States. Missions like these were rarely acknowledged publicly but formed a critical backbone of national defense infrastructure during the Cold War.

## References

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