RS-16

Re-entered 25 Oct 1999

RS-16 (NORAD 24744, COSPAR 1997-010A) was a RU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Oct 1999, launched on 4 Mar 1997 on the Mozhaets 2 mission. It was operated by VKS as part of the Radio RS programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOPMR on the Strela-1M bus, with a mass of 87 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.

1997

launched

1999

re-entered

years on orbit

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched4 Mar 1997 · on the Mozhaets 2 mission

Operational1 Oct 1999 · entered service

Retired1 Oct 1999 · end of operational service

Re-entered25 Oct 1999 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID24744

COSPAR1997-010A

TypeSatellite

OperatorVKS

Country / StateRU

ManufacturerNPOPMR

BusStrela-1M

Mass87 kg

ProgrammeRadio RS

CategoryGEOD

OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)

Altitude466 × 478 km

Inclination97.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to RS-16?

RS-16 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Oct 1999, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1997. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did RS-16 re-enter the atmosphere?

RS-16 re-entered on 25 Oct 1999, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built RS-16?

RS-16 was operated by VKS and built by NPOPMR (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: Mozhaets 2 → What is space debris? →