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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Argon No. 78L

Re-entered 6 Jan 1983

Argon No. 78L (NORAD 13739, COSPAR 1982-119A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Jan 1983, launched on 23 Dec 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
1983
re-entered
1
year on orbit
2,655
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Dec 1982 · on the Zenit-6 mission
Operational6 Jan 1983 · entered service
Retired6 Jan 1983 · end of operational service
Re-entered6 Jan 1983 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID13739
COSPAR1982-119A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-6
Mass2,655 kg
ProgrammeZenit-6
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude346 × 415 km
Inclination70.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Argon No. 78L?

Argon No. 78L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Jan 1983, 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. 78L re-enter the atmosphere?

Argon No. 78L re-entered on 6 Jan 1983, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Argon No. 78L?

Argon No. 78L 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.