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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

RS-18

Re-entered 27 Oct 1998

RS-18 (NORAD 25533, COSPAR 1998-062C) was a F satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Oct 1998, launched on 25 Oct 1998 on the Progress 7K-TGM No 239 mission. It was operated by ACF / RUAF as part of the Radio RS programme. The spacecraft was built by ACF/RUAF on the Sputnik-40 bus, with a mass of 4 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
1998
re-entered
0
years on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Oct 1998 · on the Progress 7K-TGM No 239 mission
Operational10 Dec 1998 · entered service
Retired10 Dec 1998 · end of operational service
Re-entered27 Oct 1998 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25533
COSPAR1998-062C
TypeSatellite
OperatorACF / RUAF
Country / StateF
ManufacturerACF/RUAF
BusSputnik-40
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeRadio RS
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude339 × 352 km
Inclination51.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to RS-18?

RS-18 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Oct 1998, 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 RS-18 re-enter the atmosphere?

RS-18 re-entered on 27 Oct 1998, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built RS-18?

RS-18 was operated by ACF / RUAF and built by ACF/RUAF (F).

Launched together

Progress 7K-TGM No. 239Re-entered 1998
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.