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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Orion No. 23L

Re-entered 13 Aug 1982

Orion No. 23L (NORAD 13396, COSPAR 1982-077A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Aug 1982, launched on 3 Aug 1982 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.

1982
launched
1982
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Aug 1982 · on the Orion mission
Operational13 Aug 1982 · entered service
Retired13 Aug 1982 · end of operational service
Re-entered13 Aug 1982 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID13396
COSPAR1982-077A
TypeSatellite
OperatorVTS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-4MT
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeOrion
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude213 × 232 km
Inclination82.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Orion No. 23L?

Orion No. 23L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Aug 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 Orion No. 23L re-enter the atmosphere?

Orion No. 23L re-entered on 13 Aug 1982, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Orion No. 23L?

Orion No. 23L 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.