5VK No. 901

Re-entered 15 Dec 1984

5VK No. 901 (NORAD 15432, COSPAR 1984-125A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Dec 1984, launched on 15 Dec 1984 on the 5VK No. 901 mission. It was operated by IKI / BABTS as part of the 4V-1 programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOL on the Venera bus, with a mass of 3,203 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.

1984

launched

1984

re-entered

years on orbit

3,203

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Dec 1984 · on the 5VK No. 901 mission

Operational1 Jan 1987 · entered service

Retired1 Jan 1987 · end of operational service

Re-entered15 Dec 1984 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15432

COSPAR1984-125A

TypeSatellite

OperatorIKI / BABTS

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerNPOL

BusVenera

Mass3,203 kg (2,500 kg dry)

Programme4V-1

CategoryPLAN

OrbitHEO (EEO)

Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to 5VK No. 901?

5VK No. 901 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Dec 1984, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1984. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did 5VK No. 901 re-enter the atmosphere?

5VK No. 901 re-entered on 15 Dec 1984, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built 5VK No. 901?

5VK No. 901 was operated by IKI / BABTS and built by NPOL (SU).

Launched together

5VK SARe-entered 1984 Aerostatniy ZondRe-entered 1984

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.

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