Balloon subsatellite

Re-entered 29 Aug 1991

Balloon subsatellite (NORAD 21661, COSPAR 1986-017FJ) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Aug 1991, launched on 30 May 1991 on the DOS 7 (17K No. 127-01) mission. It was operated by NPOE as part of the PSUP programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOE on the Balloon 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.

1991

launched

1991

re-entered

years on orbit

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 May 1991 · on the DOS 7 (17K No. 127-01) mission

Operational16 Aug 1991 · entered service

Retired16 Aug 1991 · end of operational service

Re-entered29 Aug 1991 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21661

COSPAR1986-017FJ

TypeSatellite

OperatorNPOE

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerNPOE

BusBalloon

Mass5 kg

ProgrammePSUP

CategorySCI

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude187 × 198 km

Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Balloon subsatellite?

Balloon subsatellite re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Aug 1991, 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 Balloon subsatellite re-enter the atmosphere?

Balloon subsatellite re-entered on 29 Aug 1991, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Balloon subsatellite?

Balloon subsatellite was operated by NPOE and built by NPOE (SU).

Launched together

MAK 1Re-entered 1991 Progress 7K-TGM No. 207Re-entered 1991

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: DOS 7 (17K No. 127-01) → What is space debris? →