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ESO

Re-entered 7 Jan 1987

ESO (NORAD 15426, COSPAR 1983-101R) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Jan 1987, launched on 30 Sep 1983 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.

1983
launched
1987
re-entered
4
years on orbit
5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Sep 1983 · on the Romb mission
Operational4 Dec 1984 · entered service
Retired4 Dec 1984 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Jan 1987 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15426
COSPAR1983-101R
TypeSatellite
OperatorPVO
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusESO
Mass5 kg
ProgrammeESO
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude453 × 496 km
Inclination82.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ESO?

ESO re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Jan 1987, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1983. 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 7 Jan 1987, 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 (05)Re-entered 1989ESORe-entered 1986ESORe-entered 1986ESORe-entered 1984ESORe-entered 1984ESORe-entered 1984ESORe-entered 1984ESORe-entered 1985
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.