Sfera (satellite)

Sfera (TEKh-44) was a small passive satellite deployed during a spacewalk from the ISS in August 2012.

Description
Also called the Vektor-T calibration sphere, the satellite enables operators to track its movement, generate velocity and acceleration estimates to determine to what extent atmosphere is slowing down the sphere as it travels in space. Drag (velocity deceleration) estimates are used to determine localized atmospheric density.

TEKh-44 is a shiny sphere 53 cm (20.8 inches) across weighing 14 kg (~31 pounds). "Sfera" is Russian for sphere.

Re-entry
It re-entered the atmosphere in late November 2012.