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Nauka 23KS No. 2L

Re-entered 16 Jun 1978

Nauka 23KS No. 2L (NORAD 10851, COSPAR 1978-043F) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Jun 1978, launched on 5 May 1978 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by TSSKB as part of the Nauka 23KS 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.

1978
launched
1978
re-entered
0
years on orbit
630
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 May 1978 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational9 May 1978 · entered service
Retired9 May 1978 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 Jun 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID10851
COSPAR1978-043F
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusNauka
Mass630 kg
ProgrammeNauka 23KS
CategoryTECH?
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude202 × 414 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Nauka 23KS No. 2L?

Nauka 23KS No. 2L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Jun 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 Nauka 23KS No. 2L re-enter the atmosphere?

Nauka 23KS No. 2L re-entered on 16 Jun 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Nauka 23KS No. 2L?

Nauka 23KS No. 2L was operated by TSSKB and built by TSSKB (SU).

Launched together

Gektor No. 88LRe-entered 1978
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.