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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Pion-4

Re-entered 19 Sep 1989

Pion-4 (NORAD 20161, COSPAR 1989-055D) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Sep 1989, launched on 18 Jul 1989 on the Resurs-F1 14F43 No. 47 mission. It was operated by KAIK / MOM as part of the Pion programme. The spacecraft was built by KAIK on the Pion bus, with a mass of 78 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
78
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Jul 1989 · on the Resurs-F1 14F43 No. 47 mission
Operational7 Aug 1989 · entered service
Retired7 Aug 1989 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Sep 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20161
COSPAR1989-055D
TypeSatellite
OperatorKAIK / MOM
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerKAIK
BusPion
Mass78 kg
ProgrammePion
CategorySCI/CAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude254 × 271 km
Inclination82.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Pion-4?

Pion-4 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Sep 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 Pion-4 re-enter the atmosphere?

Pion-4 re-entered on 19 Sep 1989, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Pion-4?

Pion-4 was operated by KAIK / MOM and built by KAIK (SU).

Launched together

Resurs-F1-14F43 No. 7LRe-entered 1989Pion-3Re-entered 1989
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.