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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Foton No. 8L

Re-entered 24 Oct 1992

Foton No. 8L (NORAD 22173, COSPAR 1992-065A) was a RU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Oct 1992, launched on 8 Oct 1992 on the Foton No. 8L mission. It was operated by TSSKB as part of the Foton programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Foton bus, with a mass of 2,147 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
0
years on orbit
2,147
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Oct 1992 · on the Foton No. 8L mission
Operational24 Oct 1992 · entered service
Retired24 Oct 1992 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 Oct 1992 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID22173
COSPAR1992-065A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateRU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusFoton
Mass2,147 kg
ProgrammeFoton
CategoryMGRAV
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude217 × 352 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Foton No. 8L?

Foton No. 8L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Oct 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 Foton No. 8L re-enter the atmosphere?

Foton No. 8L re-entered on 24 Oct 1992, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Foton No. 8L?

Foton No. 8L was operated by TSSKB and built by TSSKB (RU).

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