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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Bion No. 9

Re-entered 29 Sep 1989

Bion No. 9 (NORAD 20242, COSPAR 1989-075A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Sep 1989, launched on 15 Sep 1989 on the Bion No. 9 mission. It was operated by IMBP / TSSKB as part of the Bion programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Bion bus, with a mass of 2,040 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
2,040
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Sep 1989 · on the Bion No. 9 mission
Operational28 Sep 1989 · entered service
Retired29 Sep 1989 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 Sep 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20242
COSPAR1989-075A
TypeSatellite
OperatorIMBP / TSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusBion
Mass2,040 kg
ProgrammeBion
CategoryBIO
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude204 × 261 km
Inclination82.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Bion No. 9?

Bion No. 9 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 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 Bion No. 9 re-enter the atmosphere?

Bion No. 9 re-entered on 29 Sep 1989, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Bion No. 9?

Bion No. 9 was operated by IMBP / TSSKB and built by TSSKB (SU).

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