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Nauka 32KS No. 1L

Re-entered 4 Jan 1979

Nauka 32KS No. 1L (NORAD 11167, COSPAR 1978-114C) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jan 1979, launched on 14 Dec 1978 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by TSSKB as part of the Nauka 32KS programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Nauka bus, with a mass of 630 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
1979
re-entered
1
year on orbit
630
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Dec 1978 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational25 Dec 1978 · entered service
Retired25 Dec 1978 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Jan 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11167
COSPAR1978-114C
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusNauka
Mass630 kg
ProgrammeNauka 32KS
CategoryTECH?
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude197 × 296 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Nauka 32KS No. 1L?

Nauka 32KS No. 1L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jan 1979, 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 Nauka 32KS No. 1L re-enter the atmosphere?

Nauka 32KS No. 1L re-entered on 4 Jan 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Nauka 32KS No. 1L?

Nauka 32KS No. 1L was operated by TSSKB and built by TSSKB (SU).

Launched together

Gektor No. 99LRe-entered 1978
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.