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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Argon No. 15L

Re-entered 4 Nov 1979

Argon No. 15L (NORAD 11592, COSPAR 1979-092A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Nov 1979, launched on 22 Oct 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

Launched22 Oct 1979 · on the Zenit-6 mission
Operational4 Nov 1979 · entered service
Retired4 Nov 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Nov 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11592
COSPAR1979-092A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-6
Mass2,655 kg
ProgrammeZenit-6
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude351 × 416 km
Inclination72.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Argon No. 15L?

Argon No. 15L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Nov 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. 15L re-enter the atmosphere?

Argon No. 15L re-entered on 4 Nov 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Argon No. 15L?

Argon No. 15L 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.