HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesGektor No. 78L
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Gektor No. 78L

Re-entered 25 Aug 1976

Gektor No. 78L (NORAD 9280, COSPAR 1976-082A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Aug 1976, launched on 12 Aug 1976 on the Zenit-2M mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-2M programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-2M 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

Launched12 Aug 1976 · on the Zenit-2M mission
Operational25 Aug 1976 · entered service
Retired25 Aug 1976 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Aug 1976 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID9280
COSPAR1976-082A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-2M
Mass2,200 kg
ProgrammeZenit-2M
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude204 × 302 km
Inclination62.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gektor No. 78L?

Gektor No. 78L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Aug 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 Gektor No. 78L re-enter the atmosphere?

Gektor No. 78L re-entered on 25 Aug 1976, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gektor No. 78L?

Gektor No. 78L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSSKB (SU).

Launched together

Nauka 19KS No. 1LRe-entered 1976
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.