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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Taifun-1A

Re-entered 28 Feb 1981

Taifun-1A (NORAD 8043, COSPAR 1975-069A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Feb 1981, launched on 24 Jul 1975 on the Vektor mission. It was operated by PVO as part of the Vektor1 programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the Vektor bus, with a mass of 570 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
1981
re-entered
6
years on orbit
570
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Jul 1975 · on the Vektor mission
Operational1 Jan 1976 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1976 · end of operational service
Re-entered28 Feb 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID8043
COSPAR1975-069A
TypeSatellite
OperatorPVO
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusVektor
Mass570 kg
ProgrammeVektor1
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude478 × 515 km
Inclination65.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Taifun-1A?

Taifun-1A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Feb 1981, 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 Taifun-1A re-enter the atmosphere?

Taifun-1A re-entered on 28 Feb 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Taifun-1A?

Taifun-1A was operated by PVO and built by YUZH (SU).

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