Molniya-1 No. 21L

Re-entered 16 Feb 1976

Molniya-1 No. 21L (NORAD 4430, COSPAR 1970-049A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Feb 1976, launched on 26 Jun 1970 on the Molniya-1 11F67 No. 21 mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Molniya-1 programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB10 on the Molniya-1 bus, with a mass of 1,650 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

1976

re-entered

years on orbit

1,650

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Jun 1970 · on the Molniya-1 11F67 No. 21 mission

Operational1 Apr 1972 · entered service

Retired1 Apr 1972 · end of operational service

Re-entered16 Feb 1976 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4430

COSPAR1970-049A

TypeSatellite

OperatorGUKOSR

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerOKB10

BusMolniya-1

Mass1,650 kg (1,620 kg dry)

ProgrammeMolniya-1

CategoryCOM

OrbitHEO (GTO)

Altitude473 × 39,872 km

Inclination65.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-1 No. 21L?

Molniya-1 No. 21L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Feb 1976, 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 Molniya-1 No. 21L re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-1 No. 21L re-entered on 16 Feb 1976, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-1 No. 21L?

Molniya-1 No. 21L was operated by GUKOSR and built by OKB10 (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: Molniya-1 11F67 No. 21 → What is space debris? →