Zenit-2 No. 71L

Re-entered 5 Mar 1969

Zenit-2 No. 71L (NORAD 3761, COSPAR 1969-015A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Mar 1969, launched on 25 Feb 1969 on the Zenit-2 No. 71 mission. It was operated by TSUKOS as part of the Zenit-2 B programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 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.

1969

launched

1969

re-entered

years on orbit

2,100

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Feb 1969 · on the Zenit-2 No. 71 mission

Operational5 Mar 1969 · entered service

Retired5 Mar 1969 · end of operational service

Re-entered5 Mar 1969 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3761

COSPAR1969-015A

TypeSatellite

OperatorTSUKOS

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerTSKBE3

BusZenit-2

Mass2,100 kg

ProgrammeZenit-2 B

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude201 × 335 km

Inclination72.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zenit-2 No. 71L?

Zenit-2 No. 71L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Mar 1969, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1969. 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. 71L re-enter the atmosphere?

Zenit-2 No. 71L re-entered on 5 Mar 1969, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zenit-2 No. 71L?

Zenit-2 No. 71L was operated by TSUKOS and built by TSKBE3 (SU).

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: Zenit-2 No. 71 → What is space debris? →