DS-U3-IK No. 1

Re-entered 2 Jan 1970

DS-U3-IK No. 1 (NORAD 4128, COSPAR 1969-088A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Jan 1970, launched on 14 Oct 1969 on the DS-U3-IK No. 1 mission. It was operated by IK as part of the DS-U3-IK programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the DS-U3 bus, with a mass of 303 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

1970

re-entered

year on orbit

303

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Oct 1969 · on the DS-U3-IK No. 1 mission

Operational30 Oct 1969 · entered service

Retired30 Oct 1969 · end of operational service

Re-entered2 Jan 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4128

COSPAR1969-088A

TypeSatellite

OperatorIK

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerYUZH

BusDS-U3

Mass303 kg

ProgrammeDS-U3-IK

CategoryAST

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude250 × 528 km

Inclination48.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DS-U3-IK No. 1?

DS-U3-IK No. 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Jan 1970, 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 DS-U3-IK No. 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

DS-U3-IK No. 1 re-entered on 2 Jan 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DS-U3-IK No. 1?

DS-U3-IK No. 1 was operated by IK and built by YUZH (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: DS-U3-IK No. 1 → What is space debris? →