HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesKobal't No. 851
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Kobal't No. 851

Re-entered 5 Jan 1987

Kobal't No. 851 (NORAD 17068, COSPAR 1986-087A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Jan 1987, launched on 13 Nov 1986 on the Kobal't mission. It was operated by UNKS 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
1987
re-entered
1
year on orbit
2,886
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Nov 1986 · on the Kobal't mission
Operational5 Jan 1987 · entered service
Retired5 Jan 1987 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Jan 1987 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID17068
COSPAR1986-087A
TypeSatellite
OperatorUNKS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusYantar'-4K2
Mass2,886 kg
ProgrammeKobal't
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude168 × 309 km
Inclination64.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Kobal't No. 851?

Kobal't No. 851 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Jan 1987, 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. 851 re-enter the atmosphere?

Kobal't No. 851 re-entered on 5 Jan 1987, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Kobal't No. 851?

Kobal't No. 851 was operated by UNKS and built by TSSKB (SU).

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