Luna-22

Re-entered 30 May 1974

Luna-22 (NORAD 7315, COSPAR 1974-037A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 May 1974, launched on 29 May 1974 on the E-8LS No. 206 mission. It is catalogued as E-8LS No. 206. It was operated by IKI / Babakin as part of the E-8 programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOL on the Luna E-8 bus, with a mass of 3,400 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

years on orbit

3,400

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 May 1974 · on the E-8LS No. 206 mission

Operational1 Nov 1975 · entered service

Retired1 Nov 1975 · end of operational service

Re-entered30 May 1974 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7315

COSPAR1974-037A

TypeSatellite

OperatorIKI / Babakin

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerNPOL

BusLuna E-8

Mass3,400 kg (3,000 kg dry)

ProgrammeE-8

CategoryPLAN

OrbitBEO (CLO)

Altitude200 × 400,000 km

Inclination51.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Luna-22?

Luna-22 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 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 Luna-22 re-enter the atmosphere?

Luna-22 re-entered on 30 May 1974, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Luna-22?

Luna-22 was operated by IKI / Babakin and built by NPOL (SU).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-10-21.

Browse the live satellite directory → The Orbital Register → Launch record: E-8LS No. 206 → What is space debris? →