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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SA Veneri-12

Re-entered 14 Sep 1978

SA Veneri-12 (NORAD 12028, COSPAR 1978-086C) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Sep 1978, launched on 14 Sep 1978 on the 4V-1 No. 361 mission. It is catalogued as SA. It was operated by IKI / Babakin as part of the 4V-1 SA programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOL on the Venera SA bus, with a mass of 675 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.

1978
launched
1978
re-entered
0
years on orbit
675
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Sep 1978 · on the 4V-1 No. 361 mission
Operational21 Dec 1978 · entered service
Retired21 Dec 1978 · end of operational service
Re-entered14 Sep 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12028
COSPAR1978-086C
TypeSatellite
OperatorIKI / Babakin
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerNPOL
BusVenera SA
Mass675 kg
Programme4V-1 SA
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Inclination51.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SA Veneri-12?

SA Veneri-12 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Sep 1978, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1978. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SA Veneri-12 re-enter the atmosphere?

SA Veneri-12 re-entered on 14 Sep 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SA Veneri-12?

SA Veneri-12 was operated by IKI / Babakin and built by NPOL (SU).

Launched together

4V-1 No. 361Re-entered 1978
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-19.