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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

4V-1 SA

Re-entered 4 Nov 1981

4V-1 SA (NORAD 15600, COSPAR 1981-110D) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Nov 1981, launched on 4 Nov 1981 on the 4V-1M No. 761 mission. It was operated by IKI / NPOL as part of the 4V-1 SA programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOL on the Venera SA bus, with a mass of 675 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
1981
re-entered
0
years on orbit
675
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched4 Nov 1981 · on the 4V-1M No. 761 mission
Operational5 Mar 1982 · entered service
Retired5 Mar 1982 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Nov 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15600
COSPAR1981-110D
TypeSatellite
OperatorIKI / NPOL
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerNPOL
BusVenera SA
Mass675 kg
Programme4V-1 SA
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to 4V-1 SA?

4V-1 SA re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Nov 1981, 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 4V-1 SA re-enter the atmosphere?

4V-1 SA re-entered on 4 Nov 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built 4V-1 SA?

4V-1 SA was operated by IKI / NPOL and built by NPOL (SU).

Launched together

4V-1M No. 761Re-entered 1981
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.