Molniya-1 No. 13L

Re-entered 15 May 1971

Molniya-1 No. 13L (NORAD 3310, COSPAR 1968-057A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 May 1971, launched on 5 Jul 1968 on the Molniya-1 11F67 No. 13 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.

1968

launched

1971

re-entered

years on orbit

1,650

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Jul 1968 · on the Molniya-1 11F67 No. 13 mission

Operational1 Jul 1970 · entered service

Retired1 Jul 1970 · end of operational service

Re-entered15 May 1971 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3310

COSPAR1968-057A

TypeSatellite

OperatorTSUKOS

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerOKB10

BusMolniya-1

Mass1,650 kg (1,620 kg dry)

ProgrammeMolniya-1

CategoryCOM

OrbitHEO (GTO)

Altitude505 × 39,851 km

Inclination65.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-1 No. 13L?

Molniya-1 No. 13L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 May 1971, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1968. 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. 13L re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-1 No. 13L re-entered on 15 May 1971, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-1 No. 13L?

Molniya-1 No. 13L 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.

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