Molniya-1 No. 16L

Re-entered 17 Apr 1974

Molniya-1 No. 16L (NORAD 3885, COSPAR 1969-035A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Apr 1974, launched on 11 Apr 1969 on the Molniya-1 11F67 No. 16 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.

1969

launched

1974

re-entered

years on orbit

1,650

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched11 Apr 1969 · on the Molniya-1 11F67 No. 16 mission

Operational1 Mar 1970 · entered service

Retired1 Mar 1970 · end of operational service

Re-entered17 Apr 1974 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3885

COSPAR1969-035A

TypeSatellite

OperatorTSUKOS

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerOKB10

BusMolniya-1

Mass1,650 kg (1,620 kg dry)

ProgrammeMolniya-1

CategoryCOM

OrbitHEO (GTO)

Altitude484 × 39,890 km

Inclination65.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-1 No. 16L?

Molniya-1 No. 16L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Apr 1974, 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 Molniya-1 No. 16L re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-1 No. 16L re-entered on 17 Apr 1974, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-1 No. 16L?

Molniya-1 No. 16L 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.

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Molniya-1 11F67 No. 16 → What is space debris? →