HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesTselina-OM No. 5L
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Tselina-OM No. 5L

Re-entered 15 Jan 1980

Tselina-OM No. 5L (NORAD 5253, COSPAR 1971-050A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Jan 1980, launched on 29 May 1971 on the Tselina-OM mission. It was operated by GRU as part of the Tselina-OM programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the Tselina-OM bus, with a mass of 434 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
1980
re-entered
9
years on orbit
434
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 May 1971 · on the Tselina-OM mission
Operational1 Jan 1972 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered15 Jan 1980 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5253
COSPAR1971-050A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGRU
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusTselina-OM
Mass434 kg
ProgrammeTselina-OM
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude507 × 548 km
Inclination74.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Tselina-OM No. 5L?

Tselina-OM No. 5L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Jan 1980, 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 Tselina-OM No. 5L re-enter the atmosphere?

Tselina-OM No. 5L re-entered on 15 Jan 1980, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Tselina-OM No. 5L?

Tselina-OM No. 5L was operated by GRU and built by YUZH (SU).

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