Molniya-3 No. 26L

Re-entered 29 Sep 1980

Molniya-3 No. 26L (NORAD 11769, COSPAR 1980-031C) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Sep 1980, launched on 18 Apr 1980 on the Molniya-3 No. 26 mission. It was operated by NPOPM / MSVYAZ as part of the Molniya-3 programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOPM on the Molniya-3 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.

1980

launched

1980

re-entered

years on orbit

1,750

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Apr 1980 · on the Molniya-3 No. 26 mission

Operational18 Apr 1980 · entered service

Retired18 Apr 1980 · end of operational service

Re-entered29 Sep 1980 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11769

COSPAR1980-031C

TypeSatellite

OperatorNPOPM / MSVYAZ

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerNPOPM

BusMolniya-3

Mass1,750 kg (1,700 kg dry)

ProgrammeMolniya-3

CategoryCOM

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude306 × 435 km

Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-3 No. 26L?

Molniya-3 No. 26L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Sep 1980, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1980. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Molniya-3 No. 26L re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-3 No. 26L re-entered on 29 Sep 1980, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-3 No. 26L?

Molniya-3 No. 26L was operated by NPOPM / MSVYAZ and built by NPOPM (SU).

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Molniya-3 No. 26 → What is space debris? →