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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Foton No. 3L

Re-entered 8 May 1987

Foton No. 3L (NORAD 17907, COSPAR 1987-037A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 May 1987, launched on 24 Apr 1987 on the Foton No. 3L 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 2,028 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.

1987
launched
1987
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,028
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Apr 1987 · on the Foton No. 3L mission
Operational8 May 1987 · entered service
Retired8 May 1987 · end of operational service
Re-entered8 May 1987 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID17907
COSPAR1987-037A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusFoton
Mass2,028 kg
ProgrammeFoton
CategoryMGRAV
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude216 × 379 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Foton No. 3L?

Foton No. 3L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 May 1987, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1987. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Foton No. 3L re-enter the atmosphere?

Foton No. 3L re-entered on 8 May 1987, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Foton No. 3L?

Foton No. 3L 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.