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ESO

Re-entered 6 Aug 1988

ESO (NORAD 16954, COSPAR 1984-104AD) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Aug 1988, launched on 27 Sep 1984 on the Romb mission. It was operated by PVO as part of the ESO programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the ESO bus, with a mass of 5 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.

1984
launched
1988
re-entered
4
years on orbit
5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched27 Sep 1984 · on the Romb mission
Operational10 Sep 1986 · entered service
Retired10 Sep 1986 · end of operational service
Re-entered6 Aug 1988 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID16954
COSPAR1984-104AD
TypeSatellite
OperatorPVO
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusESO
Mass5 kg
ProgrammeESO
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude461 × 523 km
Inclination65.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ESO?

ESO re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Aug 1988, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1984. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did ESO re-enter the atmosphere?

ESO re-entered on 6 Aug 1988, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ESO?

ESO was operated by PVO and built by YUZH (SU).

Launched together

Taifun-2B (06)Re-entered 1989ESORe-entered 1988ESORe-entered 1988ESORe-entered 1988ESORe-entered 1988ESORe-entered 1988ESORe-entered 1988ESORe-entered 1988
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.