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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Kobal't No. 538

Re-entered 17 Nov 1991

Kobal't No. 538 (NORAD 21713, COSPAR 1991-066A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Nov 1991, launched on 19 Sep 1991 on the Kobal't mission. It was operated by UNKSR as part of the Kobal't programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Yantar'-4K2 bus, with a mass of 2,886 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
0
years on orbit
2,886
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 Sep 1991 · on the Kobal't mission
Operational17 Nov 1991 · entered service
Retired17 Nov 1991 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Nov 1991 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21713
COSPAR1991-066A
TypeSatellite
OperatorUNKSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusYantar'-4K2
Mass2,886 kg
ProgrammeKobal't
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude180 × 329 km
Inclination67.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Kobal't No. 538?

Kobal't No. 538 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Nov 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 Kobal't No. 538 re-enter the atmosphere?

Kobal't No. 538 re-entered on 17 Nov 1991, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Kobal't No. 538?

Kobal't No. 538 was operated by UNKSR and built by TSSKB (SU).

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