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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Foton No. 5L

Re-entered 11 May 1989

Foton No. 5L (NORAD 19941, COSPAR 1989-032A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 May 1989, launched on 26 Apr 1989 on the Foton No. 5L 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 2,100 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.

1989
launched
1989
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,100
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Apr 1989 · on the Foton No. 5L mission
Operational11 May 1989 · entered service
Retired11 May 1989 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 May 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID19941
COSPAR1989-032A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusFoton
Mass2,100 kg
ProgrammeFoton
CategoryMGRAV
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude214 × 369 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Foton No. 5L?

Foton No. 5L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 May 1989, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1989. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Foton No. 5L re-enter the atmosphere?

Foton No. 5L re-entered on 11 May 1989, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Foton No. 5L?

Foton No. 5L 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.