Don No. 5L

Re-entered 18 Dec 1993

Don No. 5L (NORAD 22789, COSPAR 1993-057A) was a RU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Dec 1993, launched on 7 Sep 1993 on the Don mission. It was operated by VKS as part of the Don programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Orlets bus, with a mass of 3,590 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

1993

re-entered

years on orbit

3,590

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Sep 1993 · on the Don mission

Operational19 Dec 1993 · entered service

Retired19 Dec 1993 · end of operational service

Re-entered18 Dec 1993 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID22789

COSPAR1993-057A

TypeSatellite

OperatorVKS

Country / StateRU

ManufacturerTSSKB

BusOrlets

Mass3,590 kg

ProgrammeDon

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude207 × 304 km

Inclination64.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Don No. 5L?

Don No. 5L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Dec 1993, 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 Don No. 5L re-enter the atmosphere?

Don No. 5L re-entered on 18 Dec 1993, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Don No. 5L?

Don No. 5L was operated by VKS and built by TSSKB (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: Don → What is space debris? →