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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Pegasus 1

Re-entered 17 Sep 1978

Pegasus 1 (NORAD 1085, COSPAR 1965-009A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Sep 1978, launched on 16 Feb 1965 on the Pegasus 1 mission. It was operated by MSFC as part of the Pegasus programme. The spacecraft was built by FAIRH on the Pegasus bus, with a mass of 1,400 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.

1965
launched
1978
re-entered
13
years on orbit
1,400
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Feb 1965 · on the Pegasus 1 mission
Operational29 Aug 1968 · entered service
Retired29 Aug 1968 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Sep 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1085
COSPAR1965-009A
TypeSatellite
OperatorMSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerFAIRH
BusPegasus
Mass1,400 kg
ProgrammePegasus
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude500 × 731 km
Inclination31.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Pegasus 1?

Pegasus 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Sep 1978, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1965. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Pegasus 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

Pegasus 1 re-entered on 17 Sep 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Pegasus 1?

Pegasus 1 was operated by MSFC and built by FAIRH (US).

Launched together

Apollo BP-16 CMRe-entered 1985
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.