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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Gektor No. 56L

Re-entered 8 Aug 1974

Gektor No. 56L (NORAD 7389, COSPAR 1974-059A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Aug 1974, launched on 26 Jul 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

Launched26 Jul 1974 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational8 Aug 1974 · entered service
Retired8 Aug 1974 · end of operational service
Re-entered8 Aug 1974 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7389
COSPAR1974-059A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-2M
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeZenit-2M
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude205 × 227 km
Inclination81.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gektor No. 56L?

Gektor No. 56L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Aug 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. 56L re-enter the atmosphere?

Gektor No. 56L re-entered on 8 Aug 1974, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gektor No. 56L?

Gektor No. 56L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSSKB (SU).

Launched together

Nauka 8KS No. 3LRe-entered 1974
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.