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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Rotor No. 55L

Re-entered 20 Sep 1973

Rotor No. 55L (NORAD 6818, COSPAR 1973-063A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Sep 1973, launched on 6 Sep 1973 on the Zenit-4M mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-4M programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 on the Zenit-4M 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

Launched6 Sep 1973 · on the Zenit-4M mission
Operational20 Sep 1973 · entered service
Retired20 Sep 1973 · end of operational service
Re-entered20 Sep 1973 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6818
COSPAR1973-063A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSKBE3
BusZenit-4M
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeZenit-4M
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude204 × 333 km
Inclination72.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Rotor No. 55L?

Rotor No. 55L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Sep 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 Rotor No. 55L re-enter the atmosphere?

Rotor No. 55L re-entered on 20 Sep 1973, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Rotor No. 55L?

Rotor No. 55L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSKBE3 (SU).

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