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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Soyuz 7KT-OK No. 31

Re-entered 24 Apr 1971

Soyuz 7KT-OK No. 31 (NORAD 5172, COSPAR 1971-034A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Apr 1971, launched on 22 Apr 1971 on the Soyuz 7KT-OK No. 31 mission. It was operated by TSKBEM as part of the 7K-TX programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBEM on the 7KT-OK bus, with a mass of 2,810 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.

1971
launched
1971
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,810
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Apr 1971 · on the Soyuz 7KT-OK No. 31 mission
Operational24 Apr 1971 · entered service
Retired24 Apr 1971 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 Apr 1971 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5172
COSPAR1971-034A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSKBEM
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSKBEM
Bus7KT-OK
Mass2,810 kg
Programme7K-TX
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude204 × 232 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Soyuz 7KT-OK No. 31?

Soyuz 7KT-OK No. 31 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Apr 1971, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1971. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Soyuz 7KT-OK No. 31 re-enter the atmosphere?

Soyuz 7KT-OK No. 31 re-entered on 24 Apr 1971, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Soyuz 7KT-OK No. 31?

Soyuz 7KT-OK No. 31 was operated by TSKBEM and built by TSKBEM (SU).

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