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Zenit-2 No. 13L

Re-entered 26 Oct 1963

Zenit-2 No. 13L (NORAD 673, COSPAR 1963-040A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Oct 1963, launched on 18 Oct 1963 on the Zenit-2 No. 13 mission. It was operated by OKB1 as part of the Zenit-2 LKI programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB1 on the Zenit-2 bus, with a mass of 2,100 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.

1963
launched
1963
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,100
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Oct 1963 · on the Zenit-2 No. 13 mission
Operational26 Oct 1963 · entered service
Retired26 Oct 1963 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Oct 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID673
COSPAR1963-040A
TypeSatellite
OperatorOKB1
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerOKB1
BusZenit-2
Mass2,100 kg
ProgrammeZenit-2 LKI
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude202 × 297 km
Inclination64.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zenit-2 No. 13L?

Zenit-2 No. 13L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Oct 1963, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1963. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Zenit-2 No. 13L re-enter the atmosphere?

Zenit-2 No. 13L re-entered on 26 Oct 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zenit-2 No. 13L?

Zenit-2 No. 13L was operated by OKB1 and built by OKB1 (SU).

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