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Zenit-4 No. 1L

Re-entered 22 Nov 1963

Zenit-4 No. 1L (NORAD 689, COSPAR 1963-045A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Nov 1963, launched on 16 Nov 1963 on the Zenit-4 No. 1 mission. It was operated by OKB1F3 as part of the Zenit-4 programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB1F3 on the Zenit-4 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.

1963
launched
1963
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Nov 1963 · on the Zenit-4 No. 1 mission
Operational22 Nov 1963 · entered service
Retired22 Nov 1963 · end of operational service
Re-entered22 Nov 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID689
COSPAR1963-045A
TypeSatellite
OperatorOKB1F3
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerOKB1F3
BusZenit-4
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeZenit-4
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude194 × 381 km
Inclination64.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zenit-4 No. 1L?

Zenit-4 No. 1L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Nov 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-4 No. 1L re-enter the atmosphere?

Zenit-4 No. 1L re-entered on 22 Nov 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zenit-4 No. 1L?

Zenit-4 No. 1L was operated by OKB1F3 and built by OKB1F3 (SU).

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