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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Foton No. 2L

Re-entered 4 Jun 1986

Foton No. 2L (NORAD 16724, COSPAR 1986-036A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jun 1986, launched on 21 May 1986 on the Foton No. 2L 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 1,787 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
1,787
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 May 1986 · on the Foton No. 2L mission
Operational4 Jun 1986 · entered service
Retired4 Jun 1986 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Jun 1986 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID16724
COSPAR1986-036A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusFoton
Mass1,787 kg
ProgrammeFoton
CategoryMGRAV
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude218 × 371 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Foton No. 2L?

Foton No. 2L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jun 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 Foton No. 2L re-enter the atmosphere?

Foton No. 2L re-entered on 4 Jun 1986, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Foton No. 2L?

Foton No. 2L 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.