Soyuz 7K-STM No. 73

Re-entered 19 Aug 1996

Soyuz 7K-STM No. 73 (NORAD 24280, COSPAR 1996-047A) was a RU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Aug 1996, launched on 17 Aug 1996 on the Soyuz 7K-STM No. 73 mission. It was operated by RKKE as part of the 7K-STM programme. The spacecraft was built by RKKE on the 7K-STM bus, with a mass of 2,850 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.

1996

launched

1996

re-entered

years on orbit

2,850

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Aug 1996 · on the Soyuz 7K-STM No. 73 mission

Operational2 Mar 1997 · entered service

Retired2 Mar 1997 · end of operational service

Re-entered19 Aug 1996 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID24280

COSPAR1996-047A

TypeSatellite

OperatorRKKE

Country / StateRU

ManufacturerRKKE

Bus7K-STM

Mass2,850 kg

Programme7K-STM

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude375 × 388 km

Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Soyuz 7K-STM No. 73?

Soyuz 7K-STM No. 73 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Aug 1996, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1996. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Soyuz 7K-STM No. 73 re-enter the atmosphere?

Soyuz 7K-STM No. 73 re-entered on 19 Aug 1996, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Soyuz 7K-STM No. 73?

Soyuz 7K-STM No. 73 was operated by RKKE and built by RKKE (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: Soyuz 7K-STM No. 73 → What is space debris? →