🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
NASA S-15
Retired 1961NASA S-15 (NORAD 107, COSPAR 1961 NU 1) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 6 Dec 1961, launched on 27 Apr 1961. It was operated by GSFC as part of the ExplorerG programme. The spacecraft was built by MSFC on the S-15 bus, with a mass of 40 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1961
launched
1961
retired
65
years on orbit
40
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched27 Apr 1961
Operational6 Dec 1961 · entered service
Retired6 Dec 1961 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID107
COSPAR1961 NU 1
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMSFC
BusS-15
Mass40 kg
ProgrammeExplorerG
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude497 × 1,777 km
Inclination28.8°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to NASA S-15?
NASA S-15 was retired from service around 6 Dec 1961 after launching in 1961. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built NASA S-15?
NASA S-15 was operated by GSFC and built by MSFC (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.