Molniya-1T No. 88L

Re-entered 27 Aug 2005

Molniya-1T No. 88L (NORAD 20949, COSPAR 1990-101A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Aug 2005, launched on 23 Nov 1990 on the Molniya-1T No. 70 mission. It was operated by UNKS as part of the Molniya-1T programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOPM on the Molniya-1T bus, with a mass of 1,670 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

2005

re-entered

years on orbit

1,670

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Nov 1990 · on the Molniya-1T No. 70 mission

Operational1 Jan 2001 · entered service

Retired1 Jan 2001 · end of operational service

Re-entered27 Aug 2005 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20949

COSPAR1990-101A

TypeSatellite

OperatorUNKS

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerNPOPM

BusMolniya-1T

Mass1,670 kg (1,620 kg dry)

ProgrammeMolniya-1T

CategoryCOM

OrbitHEO (HEO/M)

Altitude592 × 39,761 km

Inclination62.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-1T No. 88L?

Molniya-1T No. 88L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Aug 2005, 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 Molniya-1T No. 88L re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-1T No. 88L re-entered on 27 Aug 2005, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-1T No. 88L?

Molniya-1T No. 88L was operated by UNKS and built by NPOPM (SU).

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Molniya-1T No. 70 → What is space debris? →