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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Germes No. 25L

Re-entered 3 Jan 1974

Germes No. 25L (NORAD 6995, COSPAR 1973-105A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Jan 1974, launched on 21 Dec 1973 on the Zenit-4MK mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-4MK programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 on the Zenit-4MK bus, with a mass of 2,310 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
1974
re-entered
1
year on orbit
2,310
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Dec 1973 · on the Zenit-4MK mission
Operational3 Jan 1974 · entered service
Retired3 Jan 1974 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 Jan 1974 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6995
COSPAR1973-105A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSKBE3
BusZenit-4MK
Mass2,310 kg
ProgrammeZenit-4MK
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude203 × 341 km
Inclination72.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Germes No. 25L?

Germes No. 25L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Jan 1974, 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 Germes No. 25L re-enter the atmosphere?

Germes No. 25L re-entered on 3 Jan 1974, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Germes No. 25L?

Germes No. 25L 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.