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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Meteor No. 2L

Re-entered 25 Feb 1990

Meteor No. 2L (NORAD 1097, COSPAR 1965-014A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Feb 1990, launched on 26 Feb 1965 on the Meteor 11F614 No. 2 mission. It was operated by VNIEM as part of the Meteor A programme. The spacecraft was built by VNIEM on the Meteor bus, with a mass of 1,250 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.

1965
launched
1990
re-entered
25
years on orbit
1,250
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Feb 1965 · on the Meteor 11F614 No. 2 mission
Operational21 Apr 1965 · entered service
Retired21 Apr 1965 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Feb 1990 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1097
COSPAR1965-014A
TypeSatellite
OperatorVNIEM
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerVNIEM
BusMeteor
Mass1,250 kg
ProgrammeMeteor A
CategoryMET
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude561 × 648 km
Inclination65.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Meteor No. 2L?

Meteor No. 2L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Feb 1990, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1965. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Meteor No. 2L re-enter the atmosphere?

Meteor No. 2L re-entered on 25 Feb 1990, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Meteor No. 2L?

Meteor No. 2L was operated by VNIEM and built by VNIEM (SU).

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