Zenit-2 No. 9L

Re-entered 29 Mar 1963

Zenit-2 No. 9L (NORAD 554, COSPAR 1963-006A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Mar 1963, launched on 21 Mar 1963 on the Zenit-2 No. 9 mission. It was operated by OKB1 as part of the Zenit-2 LKI programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB1 on the Zenit-2 bus, with a mass of 2,100 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.

1963

launched

1963

re-entered

years on orbit

2,100

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Mar 1963 · on the Zenit-2 No. 9 mission

Operational29 Mar 1963 · entered service

Retired29 Mar 1963 · end of operational service

Re-entered29 Mar 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID554

COSPAR1963-006A

TypeSatellite

OperatorOKB1

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerOKB1

BusZenit-2

Mass2,100 kg

ProgrammeZenit-2 LKI

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude201 × 318 km

Inclination65.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zenit-2 No. 9L?

Zenit-2 No. 9L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Mar 1963, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1963. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Zenit-2 No. 9L re-enter the atmosphere?

Zenit-2 No. 9L re-entered on 29 Mar 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zenit-2 No. 9L?

Zenit-2 No. 9L was operated by OKB1 and built by OKB1 (SU).

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

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