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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

E-8 No. 204

Re-entered 9 Jan 1973

E-8 No. 204 (NORAD 6333, COSPAR 1973-001A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Jan 1973, launched on 8 Jan 1973 on the E-8 No. 204 mission. It was operated by IKI / BABTS as part of the E-8 programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOL on the Luna E-8 bus, with a mass of 2,944 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.

1973
launched
1973
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,944
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Jan 1973 · on the E-8 No. 204 mission
Operational16 Jan 1973 · entered service
Retired16 Jan 1973 · end of operational service
Re-entered9 Jan 1973 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6333
COSPAR1973-001A
TypeSatellite
OperatorIKI / BABTS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerNPOL
BusLuna E-8
Mass2,944 kg (1,124 kg dry)
ProgrammeE-8
CategoryPLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude200 × 400,000 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to E-8 No. 204?

E-8 No. 204 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Jan 1973, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1973. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did E-8 No. 204 re-enter the atmosphere?

E-8 No. 204 re-entered on 9 Jan 1973, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built E-8 No. 204?

E-8 No. 204 was operated by IKI / BABTS and built by NPOL (SU).

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