Molniya-2 No. 28L

Re-entered 6 Jan 2020

Molniya-2 No. 28L (NORAD 9829, COSPAR 1977-010A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Jan 2020, launched on 11 Feb 1977 on the Molniya-2 mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Molniya-2 programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOPM on the Molniya-2 bus, with a mass of 1,650 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.

1977

launched

2020

re-entered

years on orbit

1,650

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched11 Feb 1977 · on the Molniya-2 mission

Operational1 May 1979 · entered service

Retired1 May 1979 · end of operational service

Re-entered6 Jan 2020 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID9829

COSPAR1977-010A

TypeSatellite

OperatorGUKOSR

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerNPOPM

BusMolniya-2

Mass1,650 kg (1,620 kg dry)

ProgrammeMolniya-2

CategoryCOM

OrbitHEO (HEO/M)

Altitude490 × 39,862 km

Inclination62.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Molniya-2 No. 28L?

Molniya-2 No. 28L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Jan 2020, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1977. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Molniya-2 No. 28L re-enter the atmosphere?

Molniya-2 No. 28L re-entered on 6 Jan 2020, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Molniya-2 No. 28L?

Molniya-2 No. 28L was operated by GUKOSR and built by NPOPM (SU).

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Molniya-2 → What is space debris? →