The satellite is designed to identify missile launches using optical telescopes and infrared sensors.

[2] Kosmos 1661 was launched from Site 16/2 at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Russian SSR.

[3] A Molniya-M carrier rocket with a 2BL upper stage was used to perform the launch, which took place at 00:40 UTC on 18 June 1985.

[4] The United States Space Command assigned it the Satellite Catalog Number 15827.

[4] Podvig says that it moved from its orbital position immediately after launch, and was probably never functional.