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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Orion No. 22L

Re-entered 1 Oct 1981

Orion No. 22L (NORAD 12837, COSPAR 1981-092A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Oct 1981, launched on 18 Sep 1981 on the Orion mission. It was operated by VTS as part of the Orion programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-4MT bus, with a mass of 2,200 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
2,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Sep 1981 · on the Orion mission
Operational1 Oct 1981 · entered service
Retired1 Oct 1981 · end of operational service
Re-entered1 Oct 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12837
COSPAR1981-092A
TypeSatellite
OperatorVTS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-4MT
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeOrion
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude210 × 250 km
Inclination82.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Orion No. 22L?

Orion No. 22L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Oct 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 Orion No. 22L re-enter the atmosphere?

Orion No. 22L re-entered on 1 Oct 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Orion No. 22L?

Orion No. 22L was operated by VTS and built by TSSKB (SU).

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