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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Foton No. 6L

Re-entered 27 Apr 1990

Foton No. 6L (NORAD 20566, COSPAR 1990-032A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Apr 1990, launched on 11 Apr 1990 on the Foton No. 6L 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 2,222 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.

1990
launched
1990
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,222
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched11 Apr 1990 · on the Foton No. 6L mission
Operational27 Apr 1990 · entered service
Retired27 Apr 1990 · end of operational service
Re-entered27 Apr 1990 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20566
COSPAR1990-032A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusFoton
Mass2,222 kg
ProgrammeFoton
CategoryMGRAV
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude213 × 364 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Foton No. 6L?

Foton No. 6L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Apr 1990, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1990. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Foton No. 6L re-enter the atmosphere?

Foton No. 6L re-entered on 27 Apr 1990, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Foton No. 6L?

Foton No. 6L 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.