🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
Sfera No. 17L
Retired 1970Sfera No. 17L (NORAD 4254, COSPAR 1969-103A) is a retired SU satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1970, launched on 24 Nov 1969 on the Sfera mission. It was operated by OKB10 as part of the Sfera programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB10 on the KAUR-1 11F621 bus, with a mass of 800 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1969
launched
1970
retired
57
years on orbit
800
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched24 Nov 1969 · on the Sfera mission
Operational1 Jan 1970 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1970 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID4254
COSPAR1969-103A
TypeSatellite
OperatorOKB10
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerOKB10
BusKAUR-1 11F621
Mass800 kg
ProgrammeSfera
CategoryGEOD
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude1,142 × 1,177 km
Inclination74.0°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Sfera No. 17L?
Sfera No. 17L was retired from service around 1 Jan 1970 after launching in 1969. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built Sfera No. 17L?
Sfera No. 17L was operated by OKB10 and built by OKB10 (SU).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.