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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Foton No. 1L

Re-entered 29 Apr 1985

Foton No. 1L (NORAD 15645, COSPAR 1985-029A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Apr 1985, launched on 16 Apr 1985 on the Foton No. 1L mission. It was operated by TSSKB as part of the Foton programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Foton bus, with a mass of 1,788 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.

1985
launched
1985
re-entered
0
years on orbit
1,788
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Apr 1985 · on the Foton No. 1L mission
Operational29 Apr 1985 · entered service
Retired29 Apr 1985 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 Apr 1985 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15645
COSPAR1985-029A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusFoton
Mass1,788 kg
ProgrammeFoton
CategoryMGRAV
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude214 × 388 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Foton No. 1L?

Foton No. 1L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Apr 1985, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1985. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Foton No. 1L re-enter the atmosphere?

Foton No. 1L re-entered on 29 Apr 1985, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Foton No. 1L?

Foton No. 1L was operated by TSSKB and built by TSSKB (SU).

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