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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Ikar No. 12L

Re-entered 10 Mar 2007

Ikar No. 12L (NORAD 10973, COSPAR 1978-067A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Mar 2007, launched on 28 Jun 1978 on the EPN No. 03.0380? mission. It was operated by YUZH as part of the Tselina-D programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the GVM bus, with a mass of 1,700 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
2007
re-entered
29
years on orbit
1,700
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Jun 1978 · on the EPN No. 03.0380? mission
Operational1 Jun 1978 · entered service
Retired1 Jun 1978 · end of operational service
Re-entered10 Mar 2007 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID10973
COSPAR1978-067A
TypeSatellite
OperatorYUZH
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusGVM
Mass1,700 kg
ProgrammeTselina-D
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude604 × 630 km
Inclination82.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Ikar No. 12L?

Ikar No. 12L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Mar 2007, 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 Ikar No. 12L re-enter the atmosphere?

Ikar No. 12L re-entered on 10 Mar 2007, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Ikar No. 12L?

Ikar No. 12L was operated by YUZH and built by YUZH (SU).

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