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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Kometa No. 9L

Re-entered 25 Dec 1987

Kometa No. 9L (NORAD 18535, COSPAR 1987-093A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Dec 1987, launched on 14 Nov 1987 on the Kometa No. 8 mission. It was operated by VTS as part of the Kometa programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Yantar'-1KFT bus, with a mass of 2,720 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
2,720
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Nov 1987 · on the Kometa No. 8 mission
Operational25 Dec 1987 · entered service
Retired25 Dec 1987 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Dec 1987 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID18535
COSPAR1987-093A
TypeSatellite
OperatorVTS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusYantar'-1KFT
Mass2,720 kg
ProgrammeKometa
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude205 × 260 km
Inclination64.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Kometa No. 9L?

Kometa No. 9L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Dec 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 Kometa No. 9L re-enter the atmosphere?

Kometa No. 9L re-entered on 25 Dec 1987, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Kometa No. 9L?

Kometa No. 9L was operated by VTS and built by TSSKB (SU).

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