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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Siluet No. 1L

Re-entered 13 Mar 1981

Siluet No. 1L (NORAD 12301, COSPAR 1981-015A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Mar 1981, launched on 18 Feb 1981 on the Siluet No. 1 mission. It was operated by TSSKB as part of the Siluet programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Yantar'-1KFT bus, with a mass of 2,720 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.

1981
launched
1981
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,720
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Feb 1981 · on the Siluet No. 1 mission
Operational13 Mar 1981 · entered service
Retired13 Mar 1981 · end of operational service
Re-entered13 Mar 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12301
COSPAR1981-015A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusYantar'-1KFT
Mass2,720 kg
ProgrammeSiluet
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude204 × 256 km
Inclination64.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Siluet No. 1L?

Siluet No. 1L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Mar 1981, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1981. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Siluet No. 1L re-enter the atmosphere?

Siluet No. 1L re-entered on 13 Mar 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Siluet No. 1L?

Siluet No. 1L was operated by TSSKB and built by TSSKB (SU).

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