Zenit-2 No. 46L

Re-entered 27 Nov 1966

Zenit-2 No. 46L (NORAD 2599, COSPAR 1966-106A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Nov 1966, launched on 19 Nov 1966 on the Zenit-2 No. 46 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

Launched19 Nov 1966 · on the Zenit-2 No. 46 mission

Operational27 Nov 1966 · entered service

Retired27 Nov 1966 · end of operational service

Re-entered27 Nov 1966 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2599

COSPAR1966-106A

TypeSatellite

OperatorTSUKOS

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerOKB1F3

BusZenit-2

Mass2,100 kg

ProgrammeZenit-2 A

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude201 × 266 km

Inclination65.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zenit-2 No. 46L?

Zenit-2 No. 46L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Nov 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. 46L re-enter the atmosphere?

Zenit-2 No. 46L re-entered on 27 Nov 1966, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zenit-2 No. 46L?

Zenit-2 No. 46L 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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