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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Orion No. 13L

Re-entered 20 Feb 1978

Orion No. 13L (NORAD 10666, COSPAR 1978-015A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Feb 1978, launched on 8 Feb 1978 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.

1978
launched
1978
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Feb 1978 · on the Orion mission
Operational20 Feb 1978 · entered service
Retired20 Feb 1978 · end of operational service
Re-entered20 Feb 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID10666
COSPAR1978-015A
TypeSatellite
OperatorVTS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-4MT
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeOrion
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude199 × 334 km
Inclination72.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Orion No. 13L?

Orion No. 13L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Feb 1978, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1978. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Orion No. 13L re-enter the atmosphere?

Orion No. 13L re-entered on 20 Feb 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Orion No. 13L?

Orion No. 13L 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.