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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Germes No. 8L

Re-entered 31 Aug 1972

Germes No. 8L (NORAD 6150, COSPAR 1972-063A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Aug 1972, launched on 18 Aug 1972 on the Zenit-4MK mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-4MK programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 on the Zenit-4MK bus, with a mass of 2,310 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
2,310
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Aug 1972 · on the Zenit-4MK mission
Operational31 Aug 1972 · entered service
Retired31 Aug 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered31 Aug 1972 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6150
COSPAR1972-063A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSKBE3
BusZenit-4MK
Mass2,310 kg
ProgrammeZenit-4MK
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude204 × 305 km
Inclination72.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Germes No. 8L?

Germes No. 8L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Aug 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 Germes No. 8L re-enter the atmosphere?

Germes No. 8L re-entered on 31 Aug 1972, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Germes No. 8L?

Germes No. 8L 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.