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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

4M No. 172

Re-entered 29 May 1971

4M No. 172 (NORAD 5252, COSPAR 1971-049A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 May 1971, launched on 28 May 1971 on the 4M No. 172 mission. It was operated by IKI / BABTS as part of the 3M programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOL on the Mars bus, with a mass of 3,440 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
3,440
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 May 1971 · on the 4M No. 172 mission
Operational1 Aug 1972 · entered service
Retired1 Aug 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 May 1971 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5252
COSPAR1971-049A
TypeSatellite
OperatorIKI / BABTS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerNPOL
BusMars
Mass3,440 kg (2,350 kg dry)
Programme3M
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Inclination51.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to 4M No. 172?

4M No. 172 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 May 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 4M No. 172 re-enter the atmosphere?

4M No. 172 re-entered on 29 May 1971, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built 4M No. 172?

4M No. 172 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.