SO-M Satellite Bus

Data current as of 2026-07-20.

The SO-M bus accounts for 12 cataloged objects, of which 2 are in orbit and 0 are active. 10 have reentered. Most are built by NPOL. The largest operator on this bus is IKI/BABTS. The first launched in 1972, the most recent in 1996.

2
In orbit
0
Active
12
Total launched
10
Reentered

SO-M launched per year

1 2 1972: 2 launched, 2 since reentered 1973: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1974: 0 objects launched 1975: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1976: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1977: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1978: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1979: 0 objects launched 1980: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1981: 0 objects launched 1982: 0 objects launched 1983: 1 object launched 1984: 0 objects launched 1985: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1986: 0 objects launched 1987: 0 objects launched 1988: 0 objects launched 1989: 0 objects launched 1990: 0 objects launched 1991: 0 objects launched 1992: 0 objects launched 1993: 0 objects launched 1994: 0 objects launched 1995: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1996: 1 object launched 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992
Still in orbit Since reentered Click a year to list its satellites.

Typical specifications

Most common values across cataloged SO-M satellites.

Manufacturer NPOL
Purpose Science, magnetosphere
Launch mass 845 kg
Dry mass 845 kg
Length 2 m
Diameter 2.5 m
Span 10 m
Shape Cyl + 4 Pan
Power 4 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries
Typical orbit 347 min period, 0° inclination

Top operators

IKI/BABTS 11 IKI/TSSKBP 1

Top countries

SU 10 RU 2

SO-M satellites

Track any of them live in KeepTrack.

Name NORAD COSPAR Owner Launched Orbit Status Track
INTERBALL AURORA Interbol-2 24293 1996-050C IKI/TSSKBP Aug 29, 1996 347 min, 62.7° Inactive
INTERBOL 1 Interbol-1 23632 1995-039A IKI/BABTS Aug 2, 1995 5452 min, 66.2° Reentered
PROGNOZ 10 Prognoz-10-IK 15661 1985-033A IKI/BABTS Apr 26, 1985 5784 min, 76.8° Reentered
PROGNOZ 9 Prognoz-9 14163 1983-067A IKI/BABTS Jul 1, 1983 · Inactive
PROGNOZ 8 Prognoz-8 12116 1980-103A IKI/BABTS Dec 25, 1980 5688 min, 65.8° Reentered
PROGNOZ 7 Prognoz-7 11088 1978-101A IKI/BABTS Oct 30, 1978 5886 min, 69.5° Reentered
PROGNOZ 6 Prognoz-6 10370 1977-093A IKI/BABTS Sep 22, 1977 5664 min, 52.5° Reentered
PROGNOZ 5 Prognoz-5 09557 1976-112A IKI/BABTS Nov 25, 1976 5729 min, 66.6° Reentered
PROGNOZ 4 Prognoz-4 08510 1975-122A IKI/BABTS Dec 22, 1975 92 min, 65.0° Reentered
PROGNOZ 3 Prognoz-3 06364 1973-009A IKI/BABTS Feb 15, 1973 5769 min, 65.0° Reentered
PROGNOZ 2 Prognoz-2 06068 1972-046A IKI/BABTS Jun 29, 1972 91 min, 65.0° Reentered
PROGNOZ 1 Prognoz 05941 1972-029A IKI/BABTS Apr 14, 1972 5774 min, 64.9° Reentered

Frequently asked questions

How many SO-M satellites are there?

The catalog lists 12 objects built on the SO-M bus. 2 are in orbit and 10 have reentered.

How many SO-M satellites are in orbit?

2 SO-M objects are currently in orbit, of which 0 carry an active status.

Who builds the SO-M bus?

The SO-M bus is most commonly built by NPOL.

When did the first SO-M satellite launch?

The first cataloged SO-M satellite launched in 1972, and the most recent in 1996.

Satellite data compiled by KeepTrack from CelesTrak, Space-Track, and GCAT, provided under CC BY-NC 4.0.