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Molniya-3 No. 61

Re-entered 2 Feb 2011

Molniya-3 No. 61 (NORAD 25379, COSPAR 1998-040A) was a RU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Feb 2011, launched on 1 Jul 1998 on the Molniya-3 No. 61 mission. It was operated by VKSR / GPKS as part of the Molniya-3 programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOPMR on the Molniya-3 bus, with a mass of 1,750 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.

1998
launched
2011
re-entered
13
years on orbit
1,750
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched1 Jul 1998 · on the Molniya-3 No. 61 mission
Operational1 Nov 2004 · entered service
Retired1 Nov 2004 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Feb 2011 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25379
COSPAR1998-040A
TypeSatellite
OperatorVKSR / GPKS
Country / StateRU
ManufacturerNPOPMR
BusMolniya-3
Mass1,750 kg (1,700 kg dry)
ProgrammeMolniya-3
CategoryCOM
OrbitHEO (HEO/M)
Altitude464 × 39,886 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-3 No. 61?

Molniya-3 No. 61 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Feb 2011, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1998. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Molniya-3 No. 61 re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-3 No. 61 re-entered on 2 Feb 2011, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-3 No. 61?

Molniya-3 No. 61 was operated by VKSR / GPKS and built by NPOPMR (RU).

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