HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesESO
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ESO

Re-entered 22 Dec 1982

ESO (NORAD 13723, COSPAR 1981-097J) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Dec 1982, launched on 28 Sep 1981 on the Romb mission. It was operated by PVO as part of the ESO programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the ESO bus, with a mass of 5 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
1982
re-entered
1
year on orbit
5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Sep 1981 · on the Romb mission
Operational15 Dec 1981 · entered service
Retired15 Dec 1981 · end of operational service
Re-entered22 Dec 1982 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID13723
COSPAR1981-097J
TypeSatellite
OperatorPVO
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusESO
Mass5 kg
ProgrammeESO
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude385 × 420 km
Inclination82.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ESO?

ESO re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Dec 1982, 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 ESO re-enter the atmosphere?

ESO re-entered on 22 Dec 1982, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ESO?

ESO was operated by PVO and built by YUZH (SU).

Launched together

Taifun-2B (03)Re-entered 1983ESORe-entered 1983ESORe-entered 1983ESORe-entered 1982ESORe-entered 1982ESORe-entered 1982ESORe-entered 1982ESORe-entered 1982
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.