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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Almaz OPS-2

Re-entered 24 Jan 1975

Almaz OPS-2 (NORAD 7342, COSPAR 1974-046A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Jan 1975, launched on 24 Jun 1974 on the Almaz 2 (11F71 No. 101-2 mission. It was operated by TSKBM as part of the Almaz programme. The spacecraft was built by ZIKH on the Almaz bus, with a mass of 18,900 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
1975
re-entered
1
year on orbit
18,900
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Jun 1974 · on the Almaz 2 (11F71 No. 101-2 mission
Operational24 Jan 1975 · entered service
Retired24 Jan 1975 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 Jan 1975 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7342
COSPAR1974-046A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSKBM
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerZIKH
BusAlmaz
Mass18,900 kg (16,000 kg dry)
ProgrammeAlmaz
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude264 × 270 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Almaz OPS-2?

Almaz OPS-2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Jan 1975, 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 Almaz OPS-2 re-enter the atmosphere?

Almaz OPS-2 re-entered on 24 Jan 1975, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Almaz OPS-2?

Almaz OPS-2 was operated by TSKBM and built by ZIKH (SU).

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