Zenit-2 No. 15L

Re-entered 28 Dec 1963

Zenit-2 No. 15L (NORAD 712, COSPAR 1963-052A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Dec 1963, launched on 19 Dec 1963 on the Zenit-2 No. 15 mission. It was operated by OKB1F3 as part of the Zenit-2 A programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB1F3 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

years on orbit

2,100

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 Dec 1963 · on the Zenit-2 No. 15 mission

Operational28 Dec 1963 · entered service

Retired28 Dec 1963 · end of operational service

Re-entered28 Dec 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID712

COSPAR1963-052A

TypeSatellite

OperatorOKB1F3

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerOKB1F3

BusZenit-2

Mass2,100 kg

ProgrammeZenit-2 A

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude199 × 393 km

Inclination65.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zenit-2 No. 15L?

Zenit-2 No. 15L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Dec 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. 15L re-enter the atmosphere?

Zenit-2 No. 15L re-entered on 28 Dec 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zenit-2 No. 15L?

Zenit-2 No. 15L 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.

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