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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Nauka 20KS No. 2L

Re-entered 11 Dec 1975

Nauka 20KS No. 2L (NORAD 8460, COSPAR 1975-108D) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Dec 1975, launched on 21 Nov 1975 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by TSSKB as part of the Nauka 20KS 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.

1975
launched
1975
re-entered
0
years on orbit
630
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Nov 1975 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational30 Nov 1975 · entered service
Retired30 Nov 1975 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Dec 1975 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID8460
COSPAR1975-108D
TypeSatellite
OperatorTSSKB
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusNauka
Mass630 kg
ProgrammeNauka 20KS
CategoryTECH?
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude197 × 268 km
Inclination65.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Nauka 20KS No. 2L?

Nauka 20KS No. 2L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Dec 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 Nauka 20KS No. 2L re-enter the atmosphere?

Nauka 20KS No. 2L re-entered on 11 Dec 1975, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Nauka 20KS No. 2L?

Nauka 20KS No. 2L was operated by TSSKB and built by TSSKB (SU).

Launched together

Gektor No. 63LRe-entered 1975
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.