HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesESO
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ESO

Re-entered 17 Nov 1990

ESO (NORAD 20911, COSPAR 1989-100U) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Nov 1990, launched on 27 Dec 1989 on the Kol'tso No. 2L 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.

1989
launched
1990
re-entered
1
year on orbit
5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched27 Dec 1989 · on the Kol'tso No. 2L mission
Operational17 Oct 1990 · entered service
Retired17 Oct 1990 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Nov 1990 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20911
COSPAR1989-100U
TypeSatellite
OperatorPVO
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusESO
Mass5 kg
ProgrammeESO
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude462 × 478 km
Inclination73.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ESO?

ESO re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Nov 1990, 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 ESO re-enter the atmosphere?

ESO re-entered on 17 Nov 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

Kol'tso No. 2LRe-entered 1997ESORe-entered 1991ESORe-entered 1991ESORe-entered 1991ESORe-entered 1991ESORe-entered 1991ESORe-entered 1991ESORe-entered 1991
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.