ISEE A

Re-entered 26 Sep 1987

ISEE A (NORAD 10422, COSPAR 1977-102A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Sep 1987, launched on 22 Oct 1977 on the ISEE A mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the DeltaEx programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC on the IMP bus, with a mass of 340 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

1987

re-entered

years on orbit

340

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Oct 1977 · on the ISEE A mission

Operational26 Sep 1987 · entered service

Retired26 Sep 1987 · end of operational service

Re-entered26 Sep 1987 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID10422

COSPAR1977-102A

TypeSatellite

OperatorGSFC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerGSFC

BusIMP

Mass340 kg

ProgrammeDeltaEx

CategorySCI

Orbit (VHEO)

Altitude764 × 137,531 km

Inclination30.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ISEE A?

ISEE A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Sep 1987, 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 ISEE A re-enter the atmosphere?

ISEE A re-entered on 26 Sep 1987, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ISEE A?

ISEE A was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC (US).

Launched together

ISEE BRe-entered 1987

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: ISEE A → What is space debris? →