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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Nauka 32KS No. 3L

Re-entered 13 Jul 1979

Nauka 32KS No. 3L (NORAD 11390, COSPAR 1979-043D) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Jul 1979, launched on 25 May 1979 on the Gektor-Priroda 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.

1979
launched
1979
re-entered
0
years on orbit
630
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 May 1979 · on the Gektor-Priroda mission
Operational6 Jun 1979 · entered service
Retired6 Jun 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered13 Jul 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11390
COSPAR1979-043D
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusNauka
Mass630 kg
ProgrammeNauka 32KS
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude162 × 180 km
Inclination81.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Nauka 32KS No. 3L?

Nauka 32KS No. 3L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Jul 1979, 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 Nauka 32KS No. 3L re-enter the atmosphere?

Nauka 32KS No. 3L re-entered on 13 Jul 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Nauka 32KS No. 3L?

Nauka 32KS No. 3L was operated by TSSKB and built by TSSKB (SU).

Launched together

Gektor-Priroda No. 102LRe-entered 1979
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.