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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

TKS No. 163-01

Re-entered 19 Jun 1981

TKS No. 163-01 (NORAD 12419, COSPAR 1981-039A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Jun 1981, launched on 25 Apr 1981 on the TKS No. 16301 mission. It was operated by ZIKH as part of the TKS programme. The spacecraft was built by ZIKH on the 77KS bus, with a mass of 14,750 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
14,750
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Apr 1981 · on the TKS No. 16301 mission
Operational29 Jul 1982 · entered service
Retired29 Jul 1982 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Jun 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12419
COSPAR1981-039A
TypeSatellite
OperatorZIKH
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerZIKH
Bus77KS
Mass14,750 kg (14,000 kg dry)
ProgrammeTKS
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude257 × 277 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to TKS No. 163-01?

TKS No. 163-01 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Jun 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 TKS No. 163-01 re-enter the atmosphere?

TKS No. 163-01 re-entered on 19 Jun 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built TKS No. 163-01?

TKS No. 163-01 was operated by ZIKH and built by ZIKH (SU).

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