Fram No. 15L

Re-entered 4 Sep 1980

Fram No. 15L (NORAD 11938, COSPAR 1980-070A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Sep 1980, launched on 22 Aug 1980 on the Fram mission. It was operated by PRIR as part of the Fram programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Fram bus, with a mass of 2,455 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

2,455

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Aug 1980 · on the Fram mission

Operational4 Sep 1980 · entered service

Retired4 Sep 1980 · end of operational service

Re-entered4 Sep 1980 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11938

COSPAR1980-070A

TypeSatellite

OperatorPRIR

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerTSSKB

BusFram

Mass2,455 kg

ProgrammeFram

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude206 × 237 km

Inclination82.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Fram No. 15L?

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

Fram No. 15L re-entered on 4 Sep 1980, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Fram No. 15L?

Fram No. 15L was operated by PRIR and built by TSSKB (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: Fram → What is space debris? →