# Kosmos 703

> artificial Soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53615](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53615)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_703)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-703

## Summary
Kosmos 703 was an artificial Soviet satellite launched in 1975 as part of the DSZ–P1–Ju class. It was deployed using a Kosmos-2I carrier rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and served as a calibration target for Soviet radar systems.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** January 21, 1975 (11:04:57 UTC)  
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 133  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1975-003A  
- **Satellite Class:** DSZ–P1–Ju (radar calibration target)  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-2I rocket  
- **Manufacturer:** Pivdenne Design Office (Soviet Union)  
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number):** 07611  
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union  

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 703?  
A: Kosmos 703 was designed as a radar calibration target, used to test and refine Soviet missile defense and tracking systems.  

### Q: Where was Kosmos 703 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133, a major Soviet spaceport.  

### Q: What rocket was used to deploy Kosmos 703?  
A: The Kosmos-2I, a Soviet carrier rocket, was used for the launch.  

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 703 played a critical role in Soviet military and space technology by serving as a calibration target for radar systems. These satellites were essential for ensuring the accuracy of missile detection and tracking, a key component of Cold War-era defense strategies. Its launch also demonstrated the reliability of the Kosmos-2I rocket, which was widely used for deploying similar payloads. While not a scientific or communications satellite, Kosmos 703 contributed to the broader infrastructure supporting Soviet space and defense programs.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Application:** Part of a series of satellites used for radar calibration, aiding missile defense systems.  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Deployed by the Kosmos-2I, a workhorse of Soviet small satellite launches.  
- **Historical Context:** Launched during the Cold War, reflecting the era's emphasis on space-based defense technology.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** January 21, 1975, at 11:04:57 UTC.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133 (a primary launch facility for Soviet military satellites).  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class:** DSZ–P1–Ju, a series of radar calibration satellites.  
- **Manufacturer:** Pivdenne Design Office, a key Soviet aerospace bureau.  

### Mission Context  
- **Role:** Used to calibrate ground-based radar systems for missile tracking.  
- **Legacy:** One of many Soviet satellites launched for defense-related purposes during the Cold War.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report