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ESO

Re-entered 14 Nov 1987

ESO (NORAD 17261, COSPAR 1986-067K) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Nov 1987, launched on 3 Sep 1986 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.

1986
launched
1987
re-entered
1
year on orbit
5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Sep 1986 · on the Romb mission
Operational24 Dec 1986 · entered service
Retired24 Dec 1986 · end of operational service
Re-entered14 Nov 1987 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID17261
COSPAR1986-067K
TypeSatellite
OperatorPVO
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusESO
Mass5 kg
ProgrammeESO
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude469 × 511 km
Inclination74.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ESO?

ESO re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Nov 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 ESO re-enter the atmosphere?

ESO re-entered on 14 Nov 1987, 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-2A (08)Re-entered 1989ESORe-entered 1988ESORe-entered 1988ESORe-entered 1988ESORe-entered 1988ESORe-entered 1989ESORe-entered 1989ESORe-entered 1987
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.