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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Gektor No. 11L

Re-entered 2 Oct 1971

Gektor No. 11L (NORAD 5478, COSPAR 1971-078A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Oct 1971, launched on 21 Sep 1971 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by TSKBE3 as part of the Zenit-2M programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 on the Zenit-2M bus, with a mass of 2,200 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
2,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Sep 1971 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational2 Oct 1971 · entered service
Retired2 Oct 1971 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Oct 1971 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5478
COSPAR1971-078A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSKBE3
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSKBE3
BusZenit-2M
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeZenit-2M
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude206 × 283 km
Inclination65.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gektor No. 11L?

Gektor No. 11L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Oct 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 Gektor No. 11L re-enter the atmosphere?

Gektor No. 11L re-entered on 2 Oct 1971, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gektor No. 11L?

Gektor No. 11L was operated by TSKBE3 and built by TSKBE3 (SU).

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