DIAL Wissenschaftliche Kapsel

Re-entered 5 Oct 1978

DIAL Wissenschaftliche Kapsel (NORAD 4344, COSPAR 1970-017A) was a D satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Oct 1978, launched on 10 Mar 1970 on the DIAL Wissenschaftliche K mission. It was operated by BMBW / CNES as part of the GRS programme. The spacecraft was built by MBBM on the WIKA bus, with a mass of 63 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.

1970

launched

1978

re-entered

years on orbit

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched10 Mar 1970 · on the DIAL Wissenschaftliche K mission

Operational1 Jan 1970 · entered service

Retired1 Jan 1970 · end of operational service

Re-entered5 Oct 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4344

COSPAR1970-017A

TypeSatellite

OperatorBMBW / CNES

Country / StateD

ManufacturerMBBM

BusWIKA

Mass63 kg

ProgrammeGRS

CategorySCI

OrbitLEO (LEO/E)

Altitude313 × 1,607 km

Inclination5.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DIAL Wissenschaftliche Kapsel?

DIAL Wissenschaftliche Kapsel re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Oct 1978, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1970. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did DIAL Wissenschaftliche Kapsel re-enter the atmosphere?

DIAL Wissenschaftliche Kapsel re-entered on 5 Oct 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DIAL Wissenschaftliche Kapsel?

DIAL Wissenschaftliche Kapsel was operated by BMBW / CNES and built by MBBM (D).

Launched together

DIAL Mini KapselRe-entered 1974

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: DIAL Wissenschaftliche K → What is space debris? →