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Nauka 8KS No. 3L

Re-entered 11 Aug 1974

Nauka 8KS No. 3L (NORAD 7404, COSPAR 1974-059G) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Aug 1974, launched on 26 Jul 1974 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by TSSKB as part of the Nauka 8KS programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Nauka bus, with a mass of 630 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
630
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Jul 1974 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational3 Aug 1974 · entered service
Retired3 Aug 1974 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Aug 1974 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7404
COSPAR1974-059G
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusNauka
Mass630 kg
ProgrammeNauka 8KS
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude198 × 221 km
Inclination81.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Nauka 8KS No. 3L?

Nauka 8KS No. 3L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 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 Nauka 8KS No. 3L re-enter the atmosphere?

Nauka 8KS No. 3L re-entered on 11 Aug 1974, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Nauka 8KS No. 3L?

Nauka 8KS No. 3L was operated by TSSKB and built by TSSKB (SU).

Launched together

Gektor No. 56LRe-entered 1974
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.