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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Argon No. 26L

Re-entered 3 Oct 1980

Argon No. 26L (NORAD 11980, COSPAR 1980-076A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Oct 1980, launched on 19 Sep 1980 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.

1980
launched
1980
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,655
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 Sep 1980 · on the Zenit-6 mission
Operational3 Oct 1980 · entered service
Retired3 Oct 1980 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 Oct 1980 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11980
COSPAR1980-076A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-6
Mass2,655 kg
ProgrammeZenit-6
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude227 × 320 km
Inclination82.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Argon No. 26L?

Argon No. 26L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Oct 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 Argon No. 26L re-enter the atmosphere?

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

Who operated and built Argon No. 26L?

Argon No. 26L 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.