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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Germes No. 61L

Re-entered 12 Jul 1976

Germes No. 61L (NORAD 8922, COSPAR 1976-060A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Jul 1976, launched on 29 Jun 1976 on the Zenit-4MK mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-4MK programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-4MK bus, with a mass of 2,310 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
2,310
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 Jun 1976 · on the Zenit-4MK mission
Operational12 Jul 1976 · entered service
Retired12 Jul 1976 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Jul 1976 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID8922
COSPAR1976-060A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-4MK
Mass2,310 kg
ProgrammeZenit-4MK
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude173 × 313 km
Inclination65.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Germes No. 61L?

Germes No. 61L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Jul 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 Germes No. 61L re-enter the atmosphere?

Germes No. 61L re-entered on 12 Jul 1976, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Germes No. 61L?

Germes No. 61L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSSKB (SU).

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