Don No. 6L

Re-entered 16 Sep 1997

Don No. 6L (NORAD 24805, COSPAR 1997-024A) was a RU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Sep 1997, launched on 15 May 1997 on the Don mission. It was operated by VKS as part of the Don programme. The spacecraft was built by PROGT 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.

1997

launched

1997

re-entered

years on orbit

3,590

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 May 1997 · on the Don mission

Operational18 Sep 1997 · entered service

Retired18 Sep 1997 · end of operational service

Re-entered16 Sep 1997 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID24805

COSPAR1997-024A

TypeSatellite

OperatorVKS

Country / StateRU

ManufacturerPROGT

BusOrlets

Mass3,590 kg

ProgrammeDon

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude214 × 327 km

Inclination64.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Don No. 6L?

Don No. 6L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Sep 1997, 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 Don No. 6L re-enter the atmosphere?

Don No. 6L re-entered on 16 Sep 1997, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Don No. 6L?

Don No. 6L was operated by VKS and built by PROGT (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? →