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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Ikar No. 4L

Re-entered 22 Mar 1992

Ikar No. 4L (NORAD 9853, COSPAR 1977-015A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Mar 1992, launched on 26 Feb 1977 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.

1977
launched
1992
re-entered
15
years on orbit
1,750
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Feb 1977 · on the Tselina-D mission
Operational1 Jan 1979 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered22 Mar 1992 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID9853
COSPAR1977-015A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGRU
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerYUZH
BusTselina-D
Mass1,750 kg
ProgrammeTselina-D
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude609 × 633 km
Inclination81.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Ikar No. 4L?

Ikar No. 4L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Mar 1992, 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 Ikar No. 4L re-enter the atmosphere?

Ikar No. 4L re-entered on 22 Mar 1992, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Ikar No. 4L?

Ikar No. 4L 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.