HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesRK-01 (I-5)
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

RK-01 (I-5)

Re-entered 16 Apr 1990

RK-01 (I-5) (NORAD 19236, COSPAR 1981-065D) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Apr 1990, launched on 10 Jul 1981 on the Meteor-Priroda No. 2-4 mission. It was operated by MAIO / MOM as part of the Iskra programme. The spacecraft was built by MAIO on the Iskra bus, with a mass of 35 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.

1981
launched
1990
re-entered
9
years on orbit
35
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched10 Jul 1981 · on the Meteor-Priroda No. 2-4 mission
Operational1 Oct 1981 · entered service
Retired1 Oct 1981 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 Apr 1990 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID19236
COSPAR1981-065D
TypeSatellite
OperatorMAIO / MOM
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerMAIO
BusIskra
Mass35 kg
ProgrammeIskra
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LEO/S)
Altitude618 × 645 km
Inclination97.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to RK-01 (I-5)?

RK-01 (I-5) re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Apr 1990, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1981. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did RK-01 (I-5) re-enter the atmosphere?

RK-01 (I-5) re-entered on 16 Apr 1990, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built RK-01 (I-5)?

RK-01 (I-5) was operated by MAIO / MOM and built by MAIO (SU).

Launched together

Meteor-Priroda No. 2-4Re-entered 2025
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.