Molniya-3 No. 57L

Re-entered 25 Jan 2004

Molniya-3 No. 57L (NORAD 22633, COSPAR 1993-025A) was a RU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jan 2004, launched on 21 Apr 1993 on the Molniya-3 No. 57 mission. It was operated by VKS / GPKS as part of the Molniya-3 programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOPM on the Molniya-3 bus, with a mass of 1,750 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.

1993

launched

2004

re-entered

years on orbit

1,750

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Apr 1993 · on the Molniya-3 No. 57 mission

Operational1 Apr 1997 · entered service

Retired1 Apr 1997 · end of operational service

Re-entered25 Jan 2004 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID22633

COSPAR1993-025A

TypeSatellite

OperatorVKS / GPKS

Country / StateRU

ManufacturerNPOPM

BusMolniya-3

Mass1,750 kg (1,700 kg dry)

ProgrammeMolniya-3

CategoryCOM

OrbitHEO (HEO/M)

Altitude643 × 39,719 km

Inclination62.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-3 No. 57L?

Molniya-3 No. 57L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jan 2004, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1993. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Molniya-3 No. 57L re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-3 No. 57L re-entered on 25 Jan 2004, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-3 No. 57L?

Molniya-3 No. 57L was operated by VKS / GPKS and built by NPOPM (RU).

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-3 No. 57 → What is space debris? →