DS-U2-K No. 1

Re-entered 11 May 2002

DS-U2-K No. 1 (NORAD 5281, COSPAR 1971-052A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 May 2002, launched on 4 Jun 1971 on the DS-U2-K No. 1 mission. It was operated by YUZH as part of the DS-U2-K programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the DS-U2 bus, with a mass of 298 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

2002

re-entered

years on orbit

298

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched4 Jun 1971 · on the DS-U2-K No. 1 mission

Operational12 Jan 1972 · entered service

Retired12 Jan 1972 · end of operational service

Re-entered11 May 2002 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5281

COSPAR1971-052A

TypeSatellite

OperatorYUZH

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerYUZH

BusDS-U2

Mass298 kg

ProgrammeDS-U2-K

CategorySCI

OrbitLEO (LEO/I)

Altitude388 × 1,994 km

Inclination74.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DS-U2-K No. 1?

DS-U2-K No. 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 May 2002, 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 DS-U2-K No. 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

DS-U2-K No. 1 re-entered on 11 May 2002, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DS-U2-K No. 1?

DS-U2-K No. 1 was operated by YUZH and built by YUZH (SU).

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: DS-U2-K No. 1 → What is space debris? →