# Radio 5
**Wikidata**: [Q63089357](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63089357)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/radio-5

## Summary
Radio 5 was a Soviet amateur radio satellite launched on December 17, 1981. It belonged to the Radio Sputnik series and was classified as a Strela-1M class spacecraft. The satellite was deployed into orbit using a Kosmos-3M rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Soviet amateur radio satellite (Radio Sputnik series).
- **Class:** Strela-1M.
- **Launch Date:** December 17, 1981.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M (Russian rocket).
- **COSPAR ID:** 1981-120C.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 12999.
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11fkmk8vnv.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Listed in German Wikipedia (sitelink count: 1).

## FAQs
### Q: What was Radio 5?
A: Radio 5 was a spacecraft classified as a Radio Sputnik, a series of Soviet and Russian amateur radio satellites. It was also designated as part of the Strela-1M class.

### Q: When was Radio 5 launched?
A: Radio 5 was launched on December 17, 1981.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Radio 5?
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a launch vehicle associated with the Soviet Union and Russia.

## Why It Matters
Radio 5 represents a specific entry in the history of Soviet space exploration, specifically within the domain of amateur radio satellites. As a member of the "Radio Sputnik" series, it highlights the Soviet Union's engagement with the amateur radio community, providing satellites that enabled global communication for radio operators. Its classification as a "Strela-1M" class object places it within a specific lineage of Soviet telecommunications or military technology adapted or utilized for these purposes.

The launch also illustrates the operational use of the Kosmos-3M rocket, a workhorse of the Soviet and Russian space programs. By documenting precise identifiers such as the COSPAR ID (1981-120C) and the Satellite Catalog Number (12999), the entry serves as a definitive reference for tracking the object's history and orbital data. This data is crucial for historians and astronomers studying the catalog of artificial objects placed in Earth's orbit during the Cold War era.

## Notable For
- Being part of the **Radio Sputnik** series, facilitating amateur radio communications.
- Dual classification as both a **Radio Sputnik** and **Strela-1M** class object.
- Launch aboard the **Kosmos-3M**, a prominent Soviet/Russian launch vehicle.
- Specific tracking via COSPAR ID **1981-120C**.

## Body
### Classification and Function
Radio 5 is identified as an instance of a **Radio Sputnik**, a class of Soviet and Russian amateur radio satellites. Additionally, the entity is classified under the **Strela-1M** class. This dual classification links the satellite to both the broader category of amateur radio spacecraft and a specific, likely military or tactical, design lineage (Strela-1M).

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **December 17, 1981**. The launch was facilitated by the **Kosmos-3M** rocket, a two-stage light-to-medium-class launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union. The Kosmos-3M was widely used for deploying military and scientific satellites during this era.

### Identifiers and Tracking
To track the satellite within global catalogs, Radio 5 is assigned the following identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1981-120C (The "C" indicates it was likely the third object associated with that specific launch mission).
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 12999.
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11fkmk8vnv.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report