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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Ikar No. 6L

Re-entered 5 Aug 1989

Ikar No. 6L (NORAD 9389, COSPAR 1976-085A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Aug 1989, launched on 27 Aug 1976 on the Tselina-D mission. It was operated by GRU as part of the Tselina-D programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the Tselina-D bus, with a mass of 1,750 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
1989
re-entered
13
years on orbit
1,750
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched27 Aug 1976 · on the Tselina-D mission
Operational1 Jan 1978 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1978 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Aug 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID9389
COSPAR1976-085A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGRU
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusTselina-D
Mass1,750 kg
ProgrammeTselina-D
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude565 × 635 km
Inclination81.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Ikar No. 6L?

Ikar No. 6L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Aug 1989, 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 Ikar No. 6L re-enter the atmosphere?

Ikar No. 6L re-entered on 5 Aug 1989, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Ikar No. 6L?

Ikar No. 6L was operated by GRU and built by YUZH (SU).

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