DS-P1-Yu No. 78L

Re-entered 7 Mar 1977

DS-P1-Yu No. 78L (NORAD 8851, COSPAR 1976-044A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Mar 1977, launched on 18 May 1976 on the DS-P1-Yu No. 78 mission. It was operated by PVO as part of the DS-P1-Yu A programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the DS-P1 bus, with a mass of 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

1977

re-entered

year on orbit

200

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 May 1976 · on the DS-P1-Yu No. 78 mission

Operational5 Jan 1977 · entered service

Retired5 Jan 1977 · end of operational service

Re-entered7 Mar 1977 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID8851

COSPAR1976-044A

TypeSatellite

OperatorPVO

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerYUZH

BusDS-P1

Mass200 kg

ProgrammeDS-P1-Yu A

CategoryCAL

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude267 × 468 km

Inclination71.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DS-P1-Yu No. 78L?

DS-P1-Yu No. 78L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Mar 1977, 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 DS-P1-Yu No. 78L re-enter the atmosphere?

DS-P1-Yu No. 78L re-entered on 7 Mar 1977, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DS-P1-Yu No. 78L?

DS-P1-Yu No. 78L 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.

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