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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

RS-17

Re-entered 21 May 1998

RS-17 (NORAD 24958, COSPAR 1997-058C) was a RU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 May 1998, launched on 5 Oct 1997 on the Progress 7K-TGM No. 236 mission. It was operated by RKKE as part of the Radio RS programme. The spacecraft was built by ACF/RUAF on the Sputnik-40 bus, with a mass of 3 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
1998
re-entered
1
year on orbit
3
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Oct 1997 · on the Progress 7K-TGM No. 236 mission
Operational29 Dec 1997 · entered service
Retired29 Dec 1997 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 May 1998 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID24958
COSPAR1997-058C
TypeSatellite
OperatorRKKE
Country / StateRU
ManufacturerACF/RUAF
BusSputnik-40
Mass3 kg
ProgrammeRadio RS
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude376 × 382 km
Inclination51.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to RS-17?

RS-17 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 May 1998, 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-17 re-enter the atmosphere?

RS-17 re-entered on 21 May 1998, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built RS-17?

RS-17 was operated by RKKE and built by ACF/RUAF (RU).

Launched together

Progress 7K-TGM No. 237Re-entered 1997InspectorRe-entered 1998
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.