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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Orion No. 19L

Re-entered 26 May 1980

Orion No. 19L (NORAD 11798, COSPAR 1980-038A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 May 1980, launched on 15 May 1980 on the Orion mission. It was operated by VTS as part of the Orion programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-4MT bus, with a mass of 2,200 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
0
years on orbit
2,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 May 1980 · on the Orion mission
Operational26 May 1980 · entered service
Retired26 May 1980 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 May 1980 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11798
COSPAR1980-038A
TypeSatellite
OperatorVTS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-4MT
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeOrion
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude237 × 286 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Orion No. 19L?

Orion No. 19L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 May 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 Orion No. 19L re-enter the atmosphere?

Orion No. 19L re-entered on 26 May 1980, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Orion No. 19L?

Orion No. 19L was operated by VTS and built by TSSKB (SU).

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