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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Orion No. 11L

Re-entered 21 Jun 1977

Orion No. 11L (NORAD 10040, COSPAR 1977-046A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Jun 1977, launched on 10 Jun 1977 on the Orion mission. It was operated by VTS as part of the Orion programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-4MT bus, with a mass of 2,200 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1977
launched
1977
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched10 Jun 1977 · on the Orion mission
Operational21 Jun 1977 · entered service
Retired21 Jun 1977 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 Jun 1977 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID10040
COSPAR1977-046A
TypeSatellite
OperatorVTS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-4MT
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeOrion
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude245 × 297 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Orion No. 11L?

Orion No. 11L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Jun 1977, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1977. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Orion No. 11L re-enter the atmosphere?

Orion No. 11L re-entered on 21 Jun 1977, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Orion No. 11L?

Orion No. 11L was operated by VTS and built by TSSKB (SU).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.