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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Molniya-3 No. 38

Re-entered 22 Feb 2001

Molniya-3 No. 38 (NORAD 16112, COSPAR 1985-091A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Feb 2001, launched on 3 Oct 1985 on the Molniya-3 No. 38 mission. It was operated by GUKOS / MSVYAZ as part of the Molniya-3 programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOPM on the Molniya-3 bus, with a mass of 1,750 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
2001
re-entered
16
years on orbit
1,750
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Oct 1985 · on the Molniya-3 No. 38 mission
Operational22 Oct 1990 · entered service
Retired22 Oct 1990 · end of operational service
Re-entered22 Feb 2001 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID16112
COSPAR1985-091A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOS / MSVYAZ
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerNPOPM
BusMolniya-3
Mass1,750 kg (1,700 kg dry)
ProgrammeMolniya-3
CategoryCOM
OrbitHEO (HEO/M)
Altitude585 × 39,763 km
Inclination63.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-3 No. 38?

Molniya-3 No. 38 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Feb 2001, 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 Molniya-3 No. 38 re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-3 No. 38 re-entered on 22 Feb 2001, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-3 No. 38?

Molniya-3 No. 38 was operated by GUKOS / MSVYAZ and built by NPOPM (SU).

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