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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Argon No. 39L

Re-entered 30 Aug 1981

Argon No. 39L (NORAD 12716, COSPAR 1981-079A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Aug 1981, launched on 18 Aug 1981 on the Zenit-6 mission. It was operated by GUKOS 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.

1981
launched
1981
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,655
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Aug 1981 · on the Zenit-6 mission
Operational30 Aug 1981 · entered service
Retired30 Aug 1981 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Aug 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12716
COSPAR1981-079A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-6
Mass2,655 kg
ProgrammeZenit-6
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude225 × 302 km
Inclination72.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Argon No. 39L?

Argon No. 39L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Aug 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 Argon No. 39L re-enter the atmosphere?

Argon No. 39L re-entered on 30 Aug 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Argon No. 39L?

Argon No. 39L was operated by GUKOS and built by TSSKB (SU).

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