Gektor No. 12L

Re-entered 15 Apr 1970

Gektor No. 12L (NORAD 4357, COSPAR 1970-023A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Apr 1970, launched on 3 Apr 1970 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-2M programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 on the Zenit-2M bus, with a mass of 2,200 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

1970

re-entered

years on orbit

2,200

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Apr 1970 · on the Zenit-2M mission

Operational15 Apr 1970 · entered service

Retired15 Apr 1970 · end of operational service

Re-entered15 Apr 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4357

COSPAR1970-023A

TypeSatellite

OperatorGUKOSR

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerTSKBE3

BusZenit-2M

Mass2,200 kg

ProgrammeZenit-2M

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude195 × 220 km

Inclination81.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gektor No. 12L?

Gektor No. 12L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Apr 1970, 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 Gektor No. 12L re-enter the atmosphere?

Gektor No. 12L re-entered on 15 Apr 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gektor No. 12L?

Gektor No. 12L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSKBE3 (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: Zenit-2M → What is space debris? →