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Nauka 26KS No. 2L

Re-entered 7 Jan 1978

Nauka 26KS No. 2L (NORAD 10538, COSPAR 1977-115D) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Jan 1978, launched on 12 Dec 1977 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by TSSKB as part of the Nauka 26KS programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Nauka bus, with a mass of 630 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
1978
re-entered
1
year on orbit
630
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Dec 1977 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational24 Dec 1977 · entered service
Retired24 Dec 1977 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Jan 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID10538
COSPAR1977-115D
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusNauka
Mass630 kg
ProgrammeNauka 26KS
CategoryTECH?
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude198 × 276 km
Inclination65.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Nauka 26KS No. 2L?

Nauka 26KS No. 2L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Jan 1978, 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 Nauka 26KS No. 2L re-enter the atmosphere?

Nauka 26KS No. 2L re-entered on 7 Jan 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Nauka 26KS No. 2L?

Nauka 26KS No. 2L was operated by TSSKB and built by TSSKB (SU).

Launched together

Gektor No. 85LRe-entered 1977
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.