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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Ikar No. 21L

Re-entered 13 Jan 2002

Ikar No. 21L (NORAD 11932, COSPAR 1980-069A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Jan 2002, launched on 15 Aug 1980 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.

1980
launched
2002
re-entered
22
years on orbit
1,750
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Aug 1980 · on the Tselina-D mission
Operational1 Jan 1982 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1982 · end of operational service
Re-entered13 Jan 2002 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11932
COSPAR1980-069A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGRU
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusTselina-D
Mass1,750 kg
ProgrammeTselina-D
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude628 × 631 km
Inclination81.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Ikar No. 21L?

Ikar No. 21L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Jan 2002, 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 Ikar No. 21L re-enter the atmosphere?

Ikar No. 21L re-entered on 13 Jan 2002, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Ikar No. 21L?

Ikar No. 21L 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.