HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesDS-U1-IK No. 2
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

DS-U1-IK No. 2

Re-entered 2 Mar 1973

DS-U1-IK No. 2 (NORAD 6291, COSPAR 1972-094A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Mar 1973, launched on 30 Nov 1972 on the DS-U1-IK No. 2 mission. It was operated by IK as part of the DS-U1-IK programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the DS-U1 bus, with a mass of 287 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
1973
re-entered
1
year on orbit
287
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Nov 1972 · on the DS-U1-IK No. 2 mission
Operational1 Feb 1973 · entered service
Retired1 Feb 1973 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Mar 1973 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6291
COSPAR1972-094A
TypeSatellite
OperatorIK
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusDS-U1
Mass287 kg
ProgrammeDS-U1-IK
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude197 × 564 km
Inclination71.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DS-U1-IK No. 2?

DS-U1-IK No. 2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Mar 1973, 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 DS-U1-IK No. 2 re-enter the atmosphere?

DS-U1-IK No. 2 re-entered on 2 Mar 1973, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DS-U1-IK No. 2?

DS-U1-IK No. 2 was operated by IK and built by YUZH (SU).

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