HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesGektor No. 28L
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Gektor No. 28L

Re-entered 16 Mar 1972

Gektor No. 28L (NORAD 5862, COSPAR 1972-013A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Mar 1972, launched on 4 Mar 1972 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by GUKOSR 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.

1972
launched
1972
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched4 Mar 1972 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational16 Mar 1972 · entered service
Retired16 Mar 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 Mar 1972 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5862
COSPAR1972-013A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSKBE3
BusZenit-2M
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeZenit-2M
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude201 × 300 km
Inclination72.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gektor No. 28L?

Gektor No. 28L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Mar 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 Gektor No. 28L re-enter the atmosphere?

Gektor No. 28L re-entered on 16 Mar 1972, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gektor No. 28L?

Gektor No. 28L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSKBE3 (SU).

Launched together

Nauka 14KS No. 1LRe-entered 1972
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.