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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Luna-20 VA

Re-entered 15 Feb 1972

Luna-20 VA (NORAD 5835, COSPAR 1972-007A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Feb 1972, launched on 14 Feb 1972 on the VA mission. It is catalogued as VA. It was operated by IKI / Babakin as part of the E-8-5 VA programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOL on the Luna VA bus, with a mass of 39 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.

1972
launched
1972
re-entered
0
years on orbit
39
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Feb 1972 · on the VA mission
Operational22 Feb 1972 · entered service
Retired22 Feb 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered15 Feb 1972 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5835
COSPAR1972-007A
TypeSatellite
OperatorIKI / Babakin
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerNPOL
BusLuna VA
Mass39 kg
ProgrammeE-8-5 VA
CategoryPLAN/RV
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Inclination51.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Luna-20 VA?

Luna-20 VA re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Feb 1972, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1972. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Luna-20 VA re-enter the atmosphere?

Luna-20 VA re-entered on 15 Feb 1972, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Luna-20 VA?

Luna-20 VA was operated by IKI / Babakin and built by NPOL (SU).

Launched together

E-8-5 No. 408Re-entered 1972
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-19.