HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesESO
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ESO

Re-entered 28 Sep 1990

ESO (NORAD 20747, COSPAR 1990-038E) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Sep 1990, launched on 25 Apr 1990 on the Romb mission. It was operated by PVO as part of the ESO programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the ESO bus, with a mass of 5 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
5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Apr 1990 · on the Romb mission
Operational13 Aug 1990 · entered service
Retired13 Aug 1990 · end of operational service
Re-entered28 Sep 1990 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20747
COSPAR1990-038E
TypeSatellite
OperatorPVO
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusESO
Mass5 kg
ProgrammeESO
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude478 × 517 km
Inclination74.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ESO?

ESO re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Sep 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 ESO re-enter the atmosphere?

ESO re-entered on 28 Sep 1990, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ESO?

ESO was operated by PVO and built by YUZH (SU).

Launched together

Taifun-2A No. 11LRe-entered 1992ESORe-entered 1990ESORe-entered 1990ESORe-entered 1990ESORe-entered 1990ESORe-entered 1990ESORe-entered 1992ESORe-entered 1992
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.