SO-M No. 508

Re-entered 25 Dec 1980

SO-M No. 508 (NORAD 12116, COSPAR 1980-103A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Dec 1980, launched on 25 Dec 1980 on the SO-M No. 508 mission. It was operated by IKI / BABTS as part of the SO-M programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOL on the SO-M bus, with a mass of 910 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

910

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Dec 1980 · on the SO-M No. 508 mission

Operational22 Sep 1981 · entered service

Retired10 Oct 1981 · end of operational service

Re-entered25 Dec 1980 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12116

COSPAR1980-103A

TypeSatellite

OperatorIKI / BABTS

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerNPOL

BusSO-M

Mass910 kg

ProgrammeSO-M

CategorySCI

OrbitLEO (DSO)

Altitude978 × 197,369 km

Inclination65.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SO-M No. 508?

SO-M No. 508 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Dec 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 SO-M No. 508 re-enter the atmosphere?

SO-M No. 508 re-entered on 25 Dec 1980, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SO-M No. 508?

SO-M No. 508 was operated by IKI / BABTS and built by NPOL (SU).

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

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