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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Gektor No. 32L

Re-entered 3 Jul 1972

Gektor No. 32L (NORAD 6053, COSPAR 1972-042A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Jul 1972, launched on 21 Jun 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

Launched21 Jun 1972 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational3 Jul 1972 · entered service
Retired3 Jul 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 Jul 1972 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6053
COSPAR1972-042A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSKBE3
BusZenit-2M
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeZenit-2M
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude202 × 267 km
Inclination65.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gektor No. 32L?

Gektor No. 32L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Jul 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. 32L re-enter the atmosphere?

Gektor No. 32L re-entered on 3 Jul 1972, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gektor No. 32L?

Gektor No. 32L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSKBE3 (SU).

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