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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Tselina-OM

Re-entered 20 Apr 1981

Tselina-OM (NORAD 11150, COSPAR 1978-115A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Apr 1981, launched on 15 Dec 1978 on the Tselina-OM mission. It was operated by GRU as part of the Tselina-OM programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the Tselina-OM bus, with a mass of 434 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
1981
re-entered
3
years on orbit
434
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Dec 1978 · on the Tselina-OM mission
Operational1 Jan 1979 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered20 Apr 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11150
COSPAR1978-115A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGRU
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusTselina-OM
Mass434 kg
ProgrammeTselina-OM
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude501 × 545 km
Inclination74.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Tselina-OM?

Tselina-OM re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Apr 1981, 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 Tselina-OM re-enter the atmosphere?

Tselina-OM re-entered on 20 Apr 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Tselina-OM?

Tselina-OM was operated by GRU and built by YUZH (SU).

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