Zenit-4M No. 4L

Re-entered 28 Apr 1970

Zenit-4M No. 4L (NORAD 4373, COSPAR 1970-030A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Apr 1970, launched on 15 Apr 1970 on the Zenit-4M mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-4M programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 on the Zenit-4M 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

Launched15 Apr 1970 · on the Zenit-4M mission

Operational28 Apr 1970 · entered service

Retired28 Apr 1970 · end of operational service

Re-entered28 Apr 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4373

COSPAR1970-030A

TypeSatellite

OperatorGUKOSR

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerTSKBE3

BusZenit-4M

Mass2,200 kg

ProgrammeZenit-4M

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude213 × 232 km

Inclination81.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zenit-4M No. 4L?

Zenit-4M No. 4L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 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 Zenit-4M No. 4L re-enter the atmosphere?

Zenit-4M No. 4L re-entered on 28 Apr 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zenit-4M No. 4L?

Zenit-4M No. 4L 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-4M → What is space debris? →