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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Taifun-1A

Re-entered 19 Oct 1981

Taifun-1A (NORAD 11262, COSPAR 1979-010A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Oct 1981, launched on 8 Feb 1979 on the Vektor mission. It was operated by PVO as part of the Vektor1 programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the Vektor bus, with a mass of 570 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.

1979
launched
1981
re-entered
2
years on orbit
570
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Feb 1979 · on the Vektor mission
Operational1 Jan 1980 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1980 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Oct 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11262
COSPAR1979-010A
TypeSatellite
OperatorPVO
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusVektor
Mass570 kg
ProgrammeVektor1
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude468 × 514 km
Inclination65.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Taifun-1A?

Taifun-1A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Oct 1981, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1979. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Taifun-1A re-enter the atmosphere?

Taifun-1A re-entered on 19 Oct 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Taifun-1A?

Taifun-1A was operated by PVO and built by YUZH (SU).

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