Re-Entry: Block-L Upper Stage

Photo: Roscosmos

A spent rocket body from a 1974 Molniya launch re-entered the atmosphere on May 31, 2017 after over four decades in orbit. The launch delivered into orbit a Molniya-2 satellite into a highly elliptical orbit from where it could provide coverage over the Soviet Union.

NORAD ID: 7382
Origin: Russia/CIS
Object: SL-6 Rocket Body
Type: Block-L Upper Stage
Mass: 1,160kg
Launched: July 23, 1974 – 01:23 UTC
Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M
Launch Site: Plesetsk, Russia

Re-Entry Prediction: May 31, 2017 – 17:41 UTC +/-120 Min.

Re-Entry Zone: Unknown

Re-Entry Orbits
Image: Spaceflight101/Orbitron