Gerakl' No. 109L

Re-entered 20 Dec 1978

Gerakl' No. 109L (NORAD 11137, COSPAR 1978-110A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Dec 1978, launched on 7 Dec 1978 on the Zenit-4MKM mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-4MKM programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-4MK bus, with a mass of 2,400 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

2,400

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Dec 1978 · on the Zenit-4MKM mission

Operational20 Dec 1978 · entered service

Retired20 Dec 1978 · end of operational service

Re-entered20 Dec 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11137

COSPAR1978-110A

TypeSatellite

OperatorGUKOSR

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerTSSKB

BusZenit-4MK

Mass2,400 kg

ProgrammeZenit-4MKM

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude171 × 313 km

Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gerakl' No. 109L?

Gerakl' No. 109L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 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 Gerakl' No. 109L re-enter the atmosphere?

Gerakl' No. 109L re-entered on 20 Dec 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gerakl' No. 109L?

Gerakl' No. 109L 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.

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