# Kosmos 931

> Russian military early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3399229](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3399229)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_931)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-931

## Summary
Kosmos 931 is a Russian military early warning satellite launched on July 20, 1977, as part of the US-K series. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Molniya-M rocket, serving as a critical component of the Soviet early warning system.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: US-K early warning satellite (part of the Soviet/Russian early warning satellite series)
- **Launch Date**: July 20, 1977
- **Launch Vehicle**: Molniya-M
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- **COSPAR ID**: 1977-068A
- **Instance Of**: Artificial satellite of the Earth
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch on July 20, 1977, at 04:44:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome

## FAQs
### Q: What was Kosmos 931's primary purpose?
A: Kosmos 931 was a Russian military early warning satellite designed to detect and track ballistic missile launches, serving as part of the Soviet early warning system.

### Q: Which rocket launched Kosmos 931?
A: Kosmos 931 was launched using a Molniya-M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 on July 20, 1977.

### Q: What series does Kosmos 931 belong to?
A: Kosmos 931 is part of the US-K series of Soviet and Russian early warning satellites.

### Q: Where was Kosmos 931 launched from?
A: Kosmos 931 was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in Russia.

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID for Kosmos 931?
A: The COSPAR ID for Kosmos 931 is 1977-068A.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 931 played a crucial role in the Soviet Union's early warning system, which was designed to detect and track ballistic missile launches. As part of the US-K series, it contributed to the military's ability to monitor potential threats and respond to emerging threats. The satellite's deployment highlights the Soviet Union's advancements in space-based surveillance and its commitment to maintaining a robust early warning infrastructure. While specific operational details remain classified, Kosmos 931 represents a key component of the Soviet space program's contributions to national defense.

## Notable For
- **Part of the US-K Series**: Kosmos 931 is one of several satellites in the US-K series, which were integral to the Soviet early warning system.
- **Molniya-M Launch**: The satellite was launched using the Molniya-M rocket, a Soviet space launcher known for its reliability in deploying military and scientific payloads.
- **Plesetsk Deployment**: Launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a key site for Soviet space missions, Kosmos 931 underscores the cosmodrome's role in military and scientific satellite deployments.
- **Early Warning Capability**: As an early warning satellite, Kosmos 931 helped monitor ballistic missile activity, reinforcing the Soviet Union's strategic defense capabilities.

## Body
### Classification and Series
Kosmos 931 is classified as a US-K satellite, which is part of a series of Soviet and Russian early warning satellites. The US-K series was designed to detect and track ballistic missile launches, providing critical early warning to the Soviet military.

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: July 20, 1977
- **Launch Vehicle**: Molniya-M
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- **Launch Time**: 04:44:00 UTC

### Operational Role
Kosmos 931 operated as part of the Soviet early warning system, contributing to the detection and tracking of ballistic missile activity. The satellite's deployment was part of the broader Soviet space program's efforts to enhance national defense capabilities.

### Identification and Tracking
- **COSPAR ID**: 1977-068A
- **Wikidata ID**: Q10150

### Historical Context
The satellite was launched during a period of heightened Cold War tensions, reflecting the Soviet Union's investment in space-based surveillance to monitor potential threats. Kosmos 931, like other US-K satellites, was likely equipped with sensors and tracking systems to provide real-time data on missile launches.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report