Molniya-1T No. 90L

Re-entered 9 Oct 2004

Molniya-1T No. 90L (NORAD 21630, COSPAR 1991-053A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Oct 2004, launched on 1 Aug 1991 on the Molniya-1T No. 76 mission. It was operated by UNKSR 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.

1991

launched

2004

re-entered

years on orbit

1,670

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched1 Aug 1991 · on the Molniya-1T No. 76 mission

Operational1 Dec 1994 · entered service

Retired1 Dec 1994 · end of operational service

Re-entered9 Oct 2004 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21630

COSPAR1991-053A

TypeSatellite

OperatorUNKSR

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerNPOPM

BusMolniya-1T

Mass1,670 kg (1,620 kg dry)

ProgrammeMolniya-1T

CategoryCOM

OrbitHEO (HEO/M)

Altitude618 × 39,738 km

Inclination62.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-1T No. 90L?

Molniya-1T No. 90L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Oct 2004, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1991. 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. 90L re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-1T No. 90L re-entered on 9 Oct 2004, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-1T No. 90L?

Molniya-1T No. 90L was operated by UNKSR 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. 76 → What is space debris? →