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Molniya-1 No. 9L

Re-entered 4 Mar 1969

Molniya-1 No. 9L (NORAD 2973, COSPAR 1967-095A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Mar 1969, launched on 3 Oct 1967 on the Molniya-1 11F67 No. 9 mission. It was operated by TSUKOS as part of the Molniya-1 programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB10 on the Molniya-1 bus, with a mass of 1,650 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.

1967
launched
1969
re-entered
2
years on orbit
1,650
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Oct 1967 · on the Molniya-1 11F67 No. 9 mission
Operational1 Jun 1968 · entered service
Retired1 Jun 1968 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Mar 1969 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2973
COSPAR1967-095A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSUKOS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerOKB10
BusMolniya-1
Mass1,650 kg (1,620 kg dry)
ProgrammeMolniya-1
CategoryCOM
OrbitHEO (GTO)
Altitude438 × 39,894 km
Inclination64.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-1 No. 9L?

Molniya-1 No. 9L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Mar 1969, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1967. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Molniya-1 No. 9L re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-1 No. 9L re-entered on 4 Mar 1969, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-1 No. 9L?

Molniya-1 No. 9L was operated by TSUKOS and built by OKB10 (SU).

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