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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Gektor No. 40L

Re-entered 6 Jun 1973

Gektor No. 40L (NORAD 6657, COSPAR 1973-033A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Jun 1973, launched on 25 May 1973 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-2M programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 on the Zenit-2M 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.

1973
launched
1973
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 May 1973 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational6 Jun 1973 · entered service
Retired6 Jun 1973 · end of operational service
Re-entered6 Jun 1973 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6657
COSPAR1973-033A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSKBE3
BusZenit-2M
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeZenit-2M
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude204 × 293 km
Inclination65.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gektor No. 40L?

Gektor No. 40L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Jun 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 Gektor No. 40L re-enter the atmosphere?

Gektor No. 40L re-entered on 6 Jun 1973, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gektor No. 40L?

Gektor No. 40L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSKBE3 (SU).

Launched together

Nauka 9KS No. 1LRe-entered 1973
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.