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Soyuz 7K-STM No. 61

Re-entered 4 Dec 1990

Soyuz 7K-STM No. 61 (NORAD 20981, COSPAR 1990-107A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Dec 1990, launched on 2 Dec 1990 on the Soyuz 7K-STM No. 61 mission. It was operated by NPOE as part of the 7K-STM programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOE on the 7K-STM bus, with a mass of 2,850 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
2,850
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Dec 1990 · on the Soyuz 7K-STM No. 61 mission
Operational26 May 1991 · entered service
Retired26 May 1991 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Dec 1990 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20981
COSPAR1990-107A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNPOE
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerNPOE
Bus7K-STM
Mass2,850 kg
Programme7K-STM
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude366 × 400 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Soyuz 7K-STM No. 61?

Soyuz 7K-STM No. 61 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Dec 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 Soyuz 7K-STM No. 61 re-enter the atmosphere?

Soyuz 7K-STM No. 61 re-entered on 4 Dec 1990, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Soyuz 7K-STM No. 61?

Soyuz 7K-STM No. 61 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.