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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Orion No. 7L

Re-entered 16 Nov 1974

Orion No. 7L (NORAD 7509, COSPAR 1974-088A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Nov 1974, launched on 4 Nov 1974 on the Zenit-4MT mission. It was operated by TSSKB as part of the Orion programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-4MT 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

Launched4 Nov 1974 · on the Zenit-4MT mission
Operational16 Nov 1974 · entered service
Retired16 Nov 1974 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 Nov 1974 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7509
COSPAR1974-088A
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-4MT
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeOrion
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude214 × 237 km
Inclination81.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Orion No. 7L?

Orion No. 7L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Nov 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 Orion No. 7L re-enter the atmosphere?

Orion No. 7L re-entered on 16 Nov 1974, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Orion No. 7L?

Orion No. 7L was operated by TSSKB and built by TSSKB (SU).

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