Molniya-3 No. 12L

Re-entered 29 Nov 1988

Molniya-3 No. 12L (NORAD 7738, COSPAR 1975-029A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Nov 1988, launched on 14 Apr 1975 on the Molniya-3 No. 12 mission. It was operated by OKB10 / MSVYAZ as part of the Molniya-3 programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB10 on the Molniya-3 bus, with a mass of 1,750 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

1988

re-entered

years on orbit

1,750

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Apr 1975 · on the Molniya-3 No. 12 mission

Operational27 Apr 1979 · entered service

Retired27 Apr 1979 · end of operational service

Re-entered29 Nov 1988 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7738

COSPAR1975-029A

TypeSatellite

OperatorOKB10 / MSVYAZ

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerOKB10

BusMolniya-3

Mass1,750 kg (1,700 kg dry)

ProgrammeMolniya-3

CategoryCOM

OrbitHEO (HEO/M)

Altitude615 × 39,725 km

Inclination62.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-3 No. 12L?

Molniya-3 No. 12L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Nov 1988, 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 Molniya-3 No. 12L re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-3 No. 12L re-entered on 29 Nov 1988, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-3 No. 12L?

Molniya-3 No. 12L was operated by OKB10 / MSVYAZ and built by OKB10 (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: Molniya-3 No. 12 → What is space debris? →