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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Foton No. 12L

Re-entered 24 Sep 1999

Foton No. 12L (NORAD 25902, COSPAR 1999-048A) was a RU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Sep 1999, launched on 9 Sep 1999 on the Foton No. 12 mission. It was operated by TSSKBP as part of the Foton programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKBP on the Foton bus, with a mass of 2,510 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.

1999
launched
1999
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,510
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Sep 1999 · on the Foton No. 12 mission
Operational24 Sep 1999 · entered service
Retired24 Sep 1999 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 Sep 1999 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25902
COSPAR1999-048A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKBP
Country / StateRU
ManufacturerTSSKBP
BusFoton
Mass2,510 kg
ProgrammeFoton
CategoryMGRAV
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude215 × 376 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Foton No. 12L?

Foton No. 12L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Sep 1999, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1999. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Foton No. 12L re-enter the atmosphere?

Foton No. 12L re-entered on 24 Sep 1999, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Foton No. 12L?

Foton No. 12L was operated by TSSKBP and built by TSSKBP (RU).

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