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Nauka 14KS No. 2L

Re-entered 9 May 1973

Nauka 14KS No. 2L (NORAD 6445, COSPAR 1973-024D) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 May 1973, launched on 25 Apr 1973 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by TSKBE3 as part of the Nauka 14KS 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.

1973
launched
1973
re-entered
0
years on orbit
630
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Apr 1973 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational4 May 1973 · entered service
Retired4 May 1973 · end of operational service
Re-entered9 May 1973 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6445
COSPAR1973-024D
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSKBE3
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSKBE3
BusNauka
Mass630 kg
ProgrammeNauka 14KS
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude192 × 204 km
Inclination81.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Nauka 14KS No. 2L?

Nauka 14KS No. 2L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 May 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 Nauka 14KS No. 2L re-enter the atmosphere?

Nauka 14KS No. 2L re-entered on 9 May 1973, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Nauka 14KS No. 2L?

Nauka 14KS No. 2L was operated by TSKBE3 and built by TSKBE3 (SU).

Launched together

Gektor No. 43LRe-entered 1973
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.