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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Gektor No. 53L

Re-entered 27 May 1974

Gektor No. 53L (NORAD 7293, COSPAR 1974-031A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 May 1974, launched on 15 May 1974 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-2M programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-2M 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.

1974
launched
1974
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 May 1974 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational27 May 1974 · entered service
Retired27 May 1974 · end of operational service
Re-entered27 May 1974 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7293
COSPAR1974-031A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-2M
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeZenit-2M
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude190 × 284 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gektor No. 53L?

Gektor No. 53L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 May 1974, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1974. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Gektor No. 53L re-enter the atmosphere?

Gektor No. 53L re-entered on 27 May 1974, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gektor No. 53L?

Gektor No. 53L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSSKB (SU).

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