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Kol'tso No. 3L

Re-entered 7 Apr 2000

Kol'tso No. 3L (NORAD 20966, COSPAR 1990-104A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Apr 2000, launched on 28 Nov 1990 on the Kol'tso No. 3L mission. It was operated by PVO as part of the Koltso programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the Kol'tso bus, with a mass of 1,450 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
2000
re-entered
10
years on orbit
1,450
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Nov 1990 · on the Kol'tso No. 3L mission
Operational1 Jan 1994 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1994 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Apr 2000 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20966
COSPAR1990-104A
TypeSatellite
OperatorPVO
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusKol'tso
Mass1,450 kg
ProgrammeKoltso
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude509 × 529 km
Inclination82.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Kol'tso No. 3L?

Kol'tso No. 3L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Apr 2000, 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 Kol'tso No. 3L re-enter the atmosphere?

Kol'tso No. 3L re-entered on 7 Apr 2000, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Kol'tso No. 3L?

Kol'tso No. 3L was operated by PVO and built by YUZH (SU).

Launched together

ESORe-entered 1992ESORe-entered 1992ESORe-entered 1992ESORe-entered 1992ESORe-entered 1992ESORe-entered 1992ESORe-entered 1993ESORe-entered 1991
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.