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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Gamma No. 1L

Re-entered 28 Feb 1992

Gamma No. 1L (NORAD 20683, COSPAR 1990-058A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Feb 1992, launched on 11 Jul 1990 on the Gamma No. 1L mission. It was operated by NPOE as part of the Gamma programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOE on the Gamma bus, with a mass of 7,320 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
1992
re-entered
2
years on orbit
7,320
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched11 Jul 1990 · on the Gamma No. 1L mission
Operational28 Feb 1992 · entered service
Retired28 Feb 1992 · end of operational service
Re-entered28 Feb 1992 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20683
COSPAR1990-058A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNPOE
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerNPOE
BusGamma
Mass7,320 kg (7,000 kg dry)
ProgrammeGamma
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude411 × 430 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gamma No. 1L?

Gamma No. 1L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Feb 1992, 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 Gamma No. 1L re-enter the atmosphere?

Gamma No. 1L re-entered on 28 Feb 1992, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gamma No. 1L?

Gamma No. 1L was operated by NPOE and built by NPOE (SU).

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