E-8 No. 203

Re-entered 11 Nov 1970

E-8 No. 203 (NORAD 4691, COSPAR 1970-095A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Nov 1970, launched on 10 Nov 1970 on the E-8 No. 203 mission. It was operated by IKI / BABTS as part of the E-8 programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOL on the Luna E-8 bus, with a mass of 2,944 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

2,944

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched10 Nov 1970 · on the E-8 No. 203 mission

Operational17 Nov 1970 · entered service

Retired17 Nov 1970 · end of operational service

Re-entered11 Nov 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4691

COSPAR1970-095A

TypeSatellite

OperatorIKI / BABTS

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerNPOL

BusLuna E-8

Mass2,944 kg (1,124 kg dry)

ProgrammeE-8

CategoryPLAN

OrbitBEO (CLO)

Altitude200 × 400,000 km

Inclination51.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to E-8 No. 203?

E-8 No. 203 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Nov 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 E-8 No. 203 re-enter the atmosphere?

E-8 No. 203 re-entered on 11 Nov 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built E-8 No. 203?

E-8 No. 203 was operated by IKI / BABTS and built by NPOL (SU).

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

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