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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Parus

Re-entered 12 Nov 1989

Parus (NORAD 11161, COSPAR 1978-119A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Nov 1989, launched on 20 Dec 1978 on the Parus mission. It was operated by VMF as part of the Parus programme. The spacecraft was built by OAZ on the KAUR-1 11F627 bus, with a mass of 800 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
1989
re-entered
11
years on orbit
800
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Dec 1978 · on the Parus mission
Operational1 Jan 1979 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Nov 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11161
COSPAR1978-119A
TypeSatellite
OperatorVMF
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerOAZ
BusKAUR-1 11F627
Mass800 kg
ProgrammeParus
CategoryNAV
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude422 × 960 km
Inclination83.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Parus?

Parus re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Nov 1989, 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 Parus re-enter the atmosphere?

Parus re-entered on 12 Nov 1989, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Parus?

Parus was operated by VMF and built by OAZ (SU).

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