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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Meteor No. 8L

Re-entered 2 Apr 1989

Meteor No. 8L (NORAD 3010, COSPAR 1967-102A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Apr 1989, launched on 24 Oct 1967 on the Meteor 11F614 No. 8 mission. It was operated by VNIEM as part of the Meteor B programme. The spacecraft was built by VNIEM on the Meteor bus, with a mass of 1,250 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
1989
re-entered
22
years on orbit
1,250
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Oct 1967 · on the Meteor 11F614 No. 8 mission
Operational1 Feb 1968 · entered service
Retired1 Feb 1968 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Apr 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3010
COSPAR1967-102A
TypeSatellite
OperatorVNIEM
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerVNIEM
BusMeteor
Mass1,250 kg
ProgrammeMeteor B
CategoryMET
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude598 × 638 km
Inclination81.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Meteor No. 8L?

Meteor No. 8L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Apr 1989, 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 Meteor No. 8L re-enter the atmosphere?

Meteor No. 8L re-entered on 2 Apr 1989, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Meteor No. 8L?

Meteor No. 8L was operated by VNIEM and built by VNIEM (SU).

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