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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Molniya-3 No. 46

Re-entered 19 May 2000

Molniya-3 No. 46 (NORAD 20338, COSPAR 1989-094A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 May 2000, launched on 28 Nov 1989 on the Molniya-3 No. 46 mission. It was operated by UNKS / MSVYAZ as part of the Molniya-3 programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOPM on the Molniya-3 bus, with a mass of 1,750 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
2000
re-entered
11
years on orbit
1,750
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Nov 1989 · on the Molniya-3 No. 46 mission
Operational1 Jan 1996 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1996 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 May 2000 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20338
COSPAR1989-094A
TypeSatellite
OperatorUNKS / MSVYAZ
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerNPOPM
BusMolniya-3
Mass1,750 kg (1,700 kg dry)
ProgrammeMolniya-3
CategoryCOM
OrbitHEO (HEO/M)
Altitude660 × 39,697 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-3 No. 46?

Molniya-3 No. 46 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 May 2000, 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 Molniya-3 No. 46 re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-3 No. 46 re-entered on 19 May 2000, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-3 No. 46?

Molniya-3 No. 46 was operated by UNKS / MSVYAZ and built by NPOPM (SU).

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