Zenit-2 No. 33L

Re-entered 21 Oct 1966

Zenit-2 No. 33L (NORAD 2491, COSPAR 1966-091A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Oct 1966, launched on 14 Oct 1966 on the Zenit-2 No. 33 mission. It was operated by TSUKOS as part of the Zenit-2 A programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB1F3 on the Zenit-2 bus, with a mass of 2,100 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.

1966

launched

1966

re-entered

years on orbit

2,100

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Oct 1966 · on the Zenit-2 No. 33 mission

Operational21 Oct 1966 · entered service

Retired21 Oct 1966 · end of operational service

Re-entered21 Oct 1966 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2491

COSPAR1966-091A

TypeSatellite

OperatorTSUKOS

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerOKB1F3

BusZenit-2

Mass2,100 kg

ProgrammeZenit-2 A

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude180 × 312 km

Inclination64.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zenit-2 No. 33L?

Zenit-2 No. 33L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Oct 1966, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1966. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Zenit-2 No. 33L re-enter the atmosphere?

Zenit-2 No. 33L re-entered on 21 Oct 1966, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zenit-2 No. 33L?

Zenit-2 No. 33L was operated by TSUKOS and built by OKB1F3 (SU).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.

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