DS-U2-IK No. 6 (Ion)

Re-entered 27 Feb 1983

DS-U2-IK No. 6 (Ion) (NORAD 8471, COSPAR 1975-115A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Feb 1983, launched on 11 Dec 1975 on the DS-U2-IK No. 6 mission. It was operated by IK as part of the DS-U2-IK programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the DS-U2 bus, with a mass of 312 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

1983

re-entered

years on orbit

312

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched11 Dec 1975 · on the DS-U2-IK No. 6 mission

Operational9 Jul 1976 · entered service

Retired9 Jul 1976 · end of operational service

Re-entered27 Feb 1983 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID8471

COSPAR1975-115A

TypeSatellite

OperatorIK

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerYUZH

BusDS-U2

Mass312 kg

ProgrammeDS-U2-IK

CategorySCI

OrbitLEO (LEO/I)

Altitude333 × 1,680 km

Inclination74.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DS-U2-IK No. 6 (Ion)?

DS-U2-IK No. 6 (Ion) re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Feb 1983, 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 DS-U2-IK No. 6 (Ion) re-enter the atmosphere?

DS-U2-IK No. 6 (Ion) re-entered on 27 Feb 1983, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DS-U2-IK No. 6 (Ion)?

DS-U2-IK No. 6 (Ion) was operated by IK and built by YUZH (SU).

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

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