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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Gektor No. 87L

Re-entered 30 Mar 1978

Gektor No. 87L (NORAD 10735, COSPAR 1978-030A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Mar 1978, launched on 17 Mar 1978 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-2M programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-2M 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

Launched17 Mar 1978 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational30 Mar 1978 · entered service
Retired30 Mar 1978 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Mar 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID10735
COSPAR1978-030A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-2M
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeZenit-2M
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude214 × 231 km
Inclination81.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gektor No. 87L?

Gektor No. 87L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Mar 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 Gektor No. 87L re-enter the atmosphere?

Gektor No. 87L re-entered on 30 Mar 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gektor No. 87L?

Gektor No. 87L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSSKB (SU).

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