Nauka 16KS No. 1L

Re-entered 1 Nov 1972

Nauka 16KS No. 1L (NORAD 6258, COSPAR 1972-083C) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Nov 1972, launched on 18 Oct 1972 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by TSKBE3 as part of the Nauka 16KS programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 on the Nauka bus, with a mass of 630 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

years on orbit

630

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Oct 1972 · on the Zenit-2M mission

Operational26 Oct 1972 · entered service

Retired26 Oct 1972 · end of operational service

Re-entered1 Nov 1972 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6258

COSPAR1972-083C

TypeSatellite

OperatorTSKBE3

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerTSKBE3

BusNauka

Mass630 kg

ProgrammeNauka 16KS

CategorySCI?

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude191 × 258 km

Inclination65.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Nauka 16KS No. 1L?

Nauka 16KS No. 1L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Nov 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 Nauka 16KS No. 1L re-enter the atmosphere?

Nauka 16KS No. 1L re-entered on 1 Nov 1972, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Nauka 16KS No. 1L?

Nauka 16KS No. 1L was operated by TSKBE3 and built by TSKBE3 (SU).

Launched together

Gektor No. 41LRe-entered 1972

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Zenit-2M → What is space debris? →