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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Argon No. 8L

Re-entered 12 Oct 1979

Argon No. 8L (NORAD 11548, COSPAR 1979-085A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Oct 1979, launched on 28 Sep 1979 on the Zenit-6 mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-6 programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-6 bus, with a mass of 2,655 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
2,655
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Sep 1979 · on the Zenit-6 mission
Operational12 Oct 1979 · entered service
Retired12 Oct 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Oct 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11548
COSPAR1979-085A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-6
Mass2,655 kg
ProgrammeZenit-6
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude362 × 408 km
Inclination72.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Argon No. 8L?

Argon No. 8L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Oct 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 Argon No. 8L re-enter the atmosphere?

Argon No. 8L re-entered on 12 Oct 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Argon No. 8L?

Argon No. 8L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSSKB (SU).

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