Orion No. 10L

Re-entered 1 Apr 1975

Orion No. 10L (NORAD 7696, COSPAR 1975-019A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Apr 1975, launched on 21 Mar 1975 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.

1975

launched

1975

re-entered

years on orbit

2,200

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Mar 1975 · on the Zenit-4MT mission

Operational1 Apr 1975 · entered service

Retired1 Apr 1975 · end of operational service

Re-entered1 Apr 1975 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7696

COSPAR1975-019A

TypeSatellite

OperatorTSSKB

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerTSSKB

BusZenit-4MT

Mass2,200 kg

ProgrammeOrion

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude211 × 271 km

Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Orion No. 10L?

Orion No. 10L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Apr 1975, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1975. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Orion No. 10L re-enter the atmosphere?

Orion No. 10L re-entered on 1 Apr 1975, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Orion No. 10L?

Orion No. 10L 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.

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Zenit-4MT → What is space debris? →