Molniya-3 No. 64L

Re-entered 6 Dec 2011

Molniya-3 No. 64L (NORAD 26970, COSPAR 2001-050A) was a RU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Dec 2011, launched on 25 Oct 2001 on the Molniya-3 No. 64 mission. It was operated by KVR / KS as part of the Molniya-3 programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOPMR on the Molniya-3 bus, with a mass of 1,780 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.

2001

launched

2011

re-entered

years on orbit

1,780

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Oct 2001 · on the Molniya-3 No. 64 mission

Operational1 Jan 2005 · entered service

Retired1 Jan 2005 · end of operational service

Re-entered6 Dec 2011 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID26970

COSPAR2001-050A

TypeSatellite

OperatorKVR / KS

Country / StateRU

ManufacturerNPOPMR

BusMolniya-3

Mass1,780 kg (1,700 kg dry)

ProgrammeMolniya-3

CategoryCOM

OrbitHEO (HEO/M)

Altitude615 × 40,659 km

Inclination62.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-3 No. 64L?

Molniya-3 No. 64L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Dec 2011, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2001. 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. 64L re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-3 No. 64L re-entered on 6 Dec 2011, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-3 No. 64L?

Molniya-3 No. 64L was operated by KVR / KS and built by NPOPMR (RU).

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Molniya-3 No. 64 → What is space debris? →