HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesIkar No. 18L
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Ikar No. 18L

Re-entered 11 Mar 1993

Ikar No. 18L (NORAD 11457, COSPAR 1979-067A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Mar 1993, launched on 20 Jul 1979 on the Tselina-D mission. It was operated by GRU as part of the Tselina-D programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the Tselina-D bus, with a mass of 1,750 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
1993
re-entered
14
years on orbit
1,750
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Jul 1979 · on the Tselina-D mission
Operational1 Jan 1981 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1981 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Mar 1993 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11457
COSPAR1979-067A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGRU
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusTselina-D
Mass1,750 kg
ProgrammeTselina-D
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude475 × 504 km
Inclination81.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Ikar No. 18L?

Ikar No. 18L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Mar 1993, 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 Ikar No. 18L re-enter the atmosphere?

Ikar No. 18L re-entered on 11 Mar 1993, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Ikar No. 18L?

Ikar No. 18L was operated by GRU and built by YUZH (SU).

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