SFERA

SFERA is no longer on orbit
SFERA is classified as:

Space & Earth Science

NORAD ID: 38751

Int'l Code: 1998-067CM

Launch date: November 20, 1998
Source: Commonwealth of Independent States (former USSR) (CIS)
Launch site: TYURATAM MISSILE AND SPACE COMPLEX (TTMTR)
Decay date: 2012-11-24

SFERA, also called TEKh-44 will be used by the Russians for Tracking Tests using Ground Tracking Stations and for the evaluation of orbital debris and orbital decay studies. The sphere is 53 centimeters in diameter and has a mass of about 13 Kilograms. The objective of the Sfera Mission is to update atmospheric parameters of Earth, specifically, the atmospheric density at orbits 100-400 km above the Earth. The satellite has been launched during the EVA-31 from the International Space Station.