🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
Sfera No. 18L
Retired 1973Sfera No. 18L (NORAD 5905, COSPAR 1972-019A) is a retired SU satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1973, launched on 25 Mar 1972 on the Sfera mission. It was operated by OKB10 as part of the Sfera programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB10 on the KAUR-1 11F621 bus, with a mass of 800 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1972
launched
1973
retired
54
years on orbit
800
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched25 Mar 1972 · on the Sfera mission
Operational1 Jan 1973 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1973 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID5905
COSPAR1972-019A
TypeSatellite
OperatorOKB10
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerOKB10
BusKAUR-1 11F621
Mass800 kg
ProgrammeSfera
CategoryGEOD
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude1,173 × 1,201 km
Inclination83.0°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Sfera No. 18L?
Sfera No. 18L was retired from service around 1 Jan 1973 after launching in 1972. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built Sfera No. 18L?
Sfera No. 18L was operated by OKB10 and built by OKB10 (SU).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.