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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Orion No. 8L

Re-entered 12 Apr 1976

Orion No. 8L (NORAD 8781, COSPAR 1976-030A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Apr 1976, launched on 31 Mar 1976 on the Orion mission. It was operated by VTS 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.

1976
launched
1976
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched31 Mar 1976 · on the Orion mission
Operational12 Apr 1976 · entered service
Retired12 Apr 1976 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Apr 1976 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID8781
COSPAR1976-030A
TypeSatellite
OperatorVTS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-4MT
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeOrion
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude204 × 334 km
Inclination72.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Orion No. 8L?

Orion No. 8L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Apr 1976, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1976. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Orion No. 8L re-enter the atmosphere?

Orion No. 8L re-entered on 12 Apr 1976, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Orion No. 8L?

Orion No. 8L was operated by VTS and built by TSSKB (SU).

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