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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Argon No. 43L

Re-entered 3 Feb 1982

Argon No. 43L (NORAD 13036, COSPAR 1982-005A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Feb 1982, launched on 20 Jan 1982 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.

1982
launched
1982
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,655
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Jan 1982 · on the Zenit-6 mission
Operational3 Feb 1982 · entered service
Retired3 Feb 1982 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 Feb 1982 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID13036
COSPAR1982-005A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-6
Mass2,655 kg
ProgrammeZenit-6
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude225 × 289 km
Inclination72.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Argon No. 43L?

Argon No. 43L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Feb 1982, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1982. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Argon No. 43L re-enter the atmosphere?

Argon No. 43L re-entered on 3 Feb 1982, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Argon No. 43L?

Argon No. 43L 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.