FSW No. 4

Re-entered 7 Feb 1978

FSW No. 4 (NORAD 10611, COSPAR 1978-011A) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Feb 1978, launched on 26 Jan 1978 on the FSW No. 4 mission. It was operated by JGB7 as part of the FSWP programme. The spacecraft was built by CAST on the FSW bus, with a mass of 1,120 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.

1978

launched

1978

re-entered

years on orbit

1,120

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Jan 1978 · on the FSW No. 4 mission

Operational30 Jan 1978 · entered service

Retired30 Jan 1978 · end of operational service

Re-entered7 Feb 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID10611

COSPAR1978-011A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJGB7

Country / StateCN

ManufacturerCAST

BusFSW

Mass1,120 kg

ProgrammeFSWP

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude161 × 469 km

Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to FSW No. 4?

FSW No. 4 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Feb 1978, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1978. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did FSW No. 4 re-enter the atmosphere?

FSW No. 4 re-entered on 7 Feb 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built FSW No. 4?

FSW No. 4 was operated by JGB7 and built by CAST (CN).

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

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