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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Zenit-6 No. 3L

Re-entered 16 Mar 1977

Zenit-6 No. 3L (NORAD 9857, COSPAR 1977-016A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Mar 1977, launched on 3 Mar 1977 on the Zenit-6 mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-6 programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Zenit-6 bus, with a mass of 2,655 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
1977
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,655
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Mar 1977 · on the Zenit-6 mission
Operational16 Mar 1977 · entered service
Retired16 Mar 1977 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 Mar 1977 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID9857
COSPAR1977-016A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOSR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusZenit-6
Mass2,655 kg
ProgrammeZenit-6
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude193 × 206 km
Inclination72.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zenit-6 No. 3L?

Zenit-6 No. 3L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Mar 1977, 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 Zenit-6 No. 3L re-enter the atmosphere?

Zenit-6 No. 3L re-entered on 16 Mar 1977, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zenit-6 No. 3L?

Zenit-6 No. 3L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSSKB (SU).

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