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ESO

Re-entered 5 Aug 1979

ESO (NORAD 11426, COSPAR 1978-120H) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Aug 1979, launched on 22 Dec 1978 on the Romb 5 mission. It was operated by PVO as part of the ESO programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the ESO bus, with a mass of 5 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
5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Dec 1978 · on the Romb 5 mission
Operational28 Jun 1979 · entered service
Retired28 Jun 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Aug 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11426
COSPAR1978-120H
TypeSatellite
OperatorPVO
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusESO
Mass5 kg
ProgrammeESO
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude276 × 348 km
Inclination50.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ESO?

ESO re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Aug 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 ESO re-enter the atmosphere?

ESO re-entered on 5 Aug 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ESO?

ESO was operated by PVO and built by YUZH (SU).

Launched together

Taifun-2V (01)Re-entered 1979ESORe-entered 1979ESORe-entered 1979ESORe-entered 1979ESORe-entered 1979ESORe-entered 1979
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.