Meteor (M) No. 13L

Re-entered 16 Mar 2004

Meteor (M) No. 13L (NORAD 4393, COSPAR 1970-037A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Mar 2004, launched on 28 Apr 1970 on the Meteor 11F614M No. 13 mission. It was operated by GUKOSR / GMS as part of the Meteor C programme. The spacecraft was built by VNIEM on the Meteor bus, with a mass of 1,280 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

2004

re-entered

years on orbit

1,280

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Apr 1970 · on the Meteor 11F614M No. 13 mission

Operational6 May 1972 · entered service

Retired6 May 1972 · end of operational service

Re-entered16 Mar 2004 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4393

COSPAR1970-037A

TypeSatellite

OperatorGUKOSR / GMS

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerVNIEM

BusMeteor

Mass1,280 kg

ProgrammeMeteor C

CategoryMET

OrbitLEO (LEO/I)

Altitude625 × 706 km

Inclination81.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Meteor (M) No. 13L?

Meteor (M) No. 13L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Mar 2004, 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 Meteor (M) No. 13L re-enter the atmosphere?

Meteor (M) No. 13L re-entered on 16 Mar 2004, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Meteor (M) No. 13L?

Meteor (M) No. 13L was operated by GUKOSR / GMS and built by VNIEM (SU).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.

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