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Nauka 3KS No. 1L

Re-entered 30 Nov 1969

Nauka 3KS No. 1L (NORAD 4236, COSPAR 1969-098E) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Nov 1969, launched on 12 Nov 1969 on the Zenit-2 No. 80 mission. It was operated by TSKBE3 as part of the Nauka 3KS programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 on the Nauka bus, with a mass of 600 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
0
years on orbit
600
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Nov 1969 · on the Zenit-2 No. 80 mission
Operational19 Nov 1969 · entered service
Retired19 Nov 1969 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Nov 1969 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4236
COSPAR1969-098E
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSKBE3
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSKBE3
BusNauka
Mass600 kg
ProgrammeNauka 3KS
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude188 × 334 km
Inclination65.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Nauka 3KS No. 1L?

Nauka 3KS No. 1L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Nov 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 Nauka 3KS No. 1L re-enter the atmosphere?

Nauka 3KS No. 1L re-entered on 30 Nov 1969, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Nauka 3KS No. 1L?

Nauka 3KS No. 1L was operated by TSKBE3 and built by TSKBE3 (SU).

Launched together

Zenit-2 No. 80LRe-entered 1969
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.