HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesMeteor (M) No. 15
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Meteor (M) No. 15

Re-entered 20 Aug 2002

Meteor (M) No. 15 (NORAD 4119, COSPAR 1969-084A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Aug 2002, launched on 6 Oct 1969 on the Meteor 11F614M No. 15 mission. It was operated by TSUKOS / GMS as part of the Meteor C programme. The spacecraft was built by VNIEM on the Meteor bus, with a mass of 1,280 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
2002
re-entered
33
years on orbit
1,280
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Oct 1969 · on the Meteor 11F614M No. 15 mission
Operational6 Sep 1972 · entered service
Retired6 Sep 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered20 Aug 2002 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4119
COSPAR1969-084A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSUKOS / GMS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerVNIEM
BusMeteor
Mass1,280 kg
ProgrammeMeteor C
CategoryMET
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude618 × 673 km
Inclination81.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Meteor (M) No. 15?

Meteor (M) No. 15 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Aug 2002, 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 Meteor (M) No. 15 re-enter the atmosphere?

Meteor (M) No. 15 re-entered on 20 Aug 2002, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Meteor (M) No. 15?

Meteor (M) No. 15 was operated by TSUKOS / GMS and built by VNIEM (SU).

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