Zenit-6 No. 6L

Re-entered 12 Dec 1978

Zenit-6 No. 6L (NORAD 11121, COSPAR 1978-108A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Dec 1978, launched on 28 Nov 1978 on the Zenit-6 mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-6 programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-6 bus, with a mass of 2,655 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

years on orbit

2,655

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Nov 1978 · on the Zenit-6 mission

Operational12 Dec 1978 · entered service

Retired12 Dec 1978 · end of operational service

Re-entered12 Dec 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11121

COSPAR1978-108A

TypeSatellite

OperatorGUKOSR

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerTSSKB

BusZenit-6

Mass2,655 kg

ProgrammeZenit-6

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude253 × 276 km

Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zenit-6 No. 6L?

Zenit-6 No. 6L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Dec 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 Zenit-6 No. 6L re-enter the atmosphere?

Zenit-6 No. 6L re-entered on 12 Dec 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zenit-6 No. 6L?

Zenit-6 No. 6L 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.

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Zenit-6 → What is space debris? →