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DS-U3-IK No. 2

Re-entered 17 Jan 1971

DS-U3-IK No. 2 (NORAD 4580, COSPAR 1970-084A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Jan 1971, launched on 14 Oct 1970 on the DS-U3-IK No. 2 mission. It was operated by IK as part of the DS-U3-IK programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the DS-U3 bus, with a mass of 303 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
1971
re-entered
1
year on orbit
303
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Oct 1970 · on the DS-U3-IK No. 2 mission
Operational16 Nov 1970 · entered service
Retired16 Nov 1970 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Jan 1971 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4580
COSPAR1970-084A
TypeSatellite
OperatorIK
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusDS-U3
Mass303 kg
ProgrammeDS-U3-IK
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude254 × 561 km
Inclination48.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DS-U3-IK No. 2?

DS-U3-IK No. 2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Jan 1971, 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 DS-U3-IK No. 2 re-enter the atmosphere?

DS-U3-IK No. 2 re-entered on 17 Jan 1971, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DS-U3-IK No. 2?

DS-U3-IK No. 2 was operated by IK and built by YUZH (SU).

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