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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Rotor No. 52L

Re-entered 17 Oct 1972

Rotor No. 52L (NORAD 6219, COSPAR 1972-077A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Oct 1972, launched on 4 Oct 1972 on the Zenit-4M mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-4M programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 on the Zenit-4M 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 Oct 1972 · on the Zenit-4M mission
Operational17 Oct 1972 · entered service
Retired17 Oct 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Oct 1972 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6219
COSPAR1972-077A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSKBE3
BusZenit-4M
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeZenit-4M
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude204 × 314 km
Inclination72.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Rotor No. 52L?

Rotor No. 52L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Oct 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 Rotor No. 52L re-enter the atmosphere?

Rotor No. 52L re-entered on 17 Oct 1972, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Rotor No. 52L?

Rotor No. 52L 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.