TKS VA No. 009A/1

Re-entered 15 Dec 1976

TKS VA No. 009A/1 (NORAD 9606, COSPAR 1976-121A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Dec 1976, launched on 15 Dec 1976 on the TKS VA No. 009A/1 mission. It was operated by ZIKH as part of the TKS VA programme. The spacecraft was built by ZIKH on the TKS VA bus, with a mass of 3,800 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

years on orbit

3,800

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Dec 1976 · on the TKS VA No. 009A/1 mission

Operational15 Dec 1976 · entered service

Retired15 Dec 1976 · end of operational service

Re-entered15 Dec 1976 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID9606

COSPAR1976-121A

TypeSatellite

OperatorZIKH

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerZIKH

BusTKS VA

Mass3,800 kg

ProgrammeTKS VA

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude200 × 241 km

Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to TKS VA No. 009A/1?

TKS VA No. 009A/1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Dec 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 TKS VA No. 009A/1 re-enter the atmosphere?

TKS VA No. 009A/1 re-entered on 15 Dec 1976, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built TKS VA No. 009A/1?

TKS VA No. 009A/1 was operated by ZIKH and built by ZIKH (SU).

Launched together

TKS VA No. 009/1Re-entered 1976 TKS GVMRe-entered 1976

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

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