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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Ikar No. 15L

Re-entered 25 Nov 2001

Ikar No. 15L (NORAD 11155, COSPAR 1978-117A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Nov 2001, launched on 19 Dec 1978 on the Tselina-D mission. It was operated by GRU as part of the Tselina-D programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the Tselina-D bus, with a mass of 1,750 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
2001
re-entered
23
years on orbit
1,750
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 Dec 1978 · on the Tselina-D mission
Operational1 Jan 1981 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1981 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Nov 2001 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11155
COSPAR1978-117A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGRU
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusTselina-D
Mass1,750 kg
ProgrammeTselina-D
CategoryNAV
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude555 × 556 km
Inclination81.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Ikar No. 15L?

Ikar No. 15L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Nov 2001, 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. 15L re-enter the atmosphere?

Ikar No. 15L re-entered on 25 Nov 2001, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Ikar No. 15L?

Ikar No. 15L 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.