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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Kobal't No. 838

Re-entered 26 Apr 1986

Kobal't No. 838 (NORAD 16618, COSPAR 1986-020A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Apr 1986, launched on 26 Feb 1986 on the Kobal't mission. It was operated by GUKOS as part of the Kobal't programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Yantar'-4K2 bus, with a mass of 2,886 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.

1986
launched
1986
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,886
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Feb 1986 · on the Kobal't mission
Operational26 Apr 1986 · entered service
Retired26 Apr 1986 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Apr 1986 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID16618
COSPAR1986-020A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusYantar'-4K2
Mass2,886 kg
ProgrammeKobal't
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude159 × 311 km
Inclination67.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Kobal't No. 838?

Kobal't No. 838 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Apr 1986, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1986. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Kobal't No. 838 re-enter the atmosphere?

Kobal't No. 838 re-entered on 26 Apr 1986, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Kobal't No. 838?

Kobal't No. 838 was operated by GUKOS and built by TSSKB (SU).

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