Kobal't No. 542

Re-entered 30 May 1992

Kobal't No. 542 (NORAD 21920, COSPAR 1992-016A) was a RU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 May 1992, launched on 1 Apr 1992 on the Kobal't mission. It was operated by VVS 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.

1992

launched

1992

re-entered

years on orbit

2,886

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched1 Apr 1992 · on the Kobal't mission

Operational30 May 1992 · entered service

Retired30 May 1992 · end of operational service

Re-entered30 May 1992 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21920

COSPAR1992-016A

TypeSatellite

OperatorVVS

Country / StateRU

ManufacturerTSSKB

BusYantar'-4K2

Mass2,886 kg

ProgrammeKobal't

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude177 × 332 km

Inclination67.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Kobal't No. 542?

Kobal't No. 542 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 May 1992, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1992. 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. 542 re-enter the atmosphere?

Kobal't No. 542 re-entered on 30 May 1992, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Kobal't No. 542?

Kobal't No. 542 was operated by VVS and built by TSSKB (RU).

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

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