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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Apollo BP-16 CM

Re-entered 10 Jul 1985

Apollo BP-16 CM (NORAD 1088, COSPAR 1965-009B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Jul 1985, launched on 16 Feb 1965 on the Pegasus 1 mission. It was operated by MSC as part of the Apollo BPS programme. The spacecraft was built by NAAD on the CM bus, with a mass of 2,000 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
1985
re-entered
20
years on orbit
2,000
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Feb 1965 · on the Pegasus 1 mission
Operational16 Feb 1965 · entered service
Retired16 Feb 1965 · end of operational service
Re-entered10 Jul 1985 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1088
COSPAR1965-009B
TypeSatellite
OperatorMSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNAAD
BusCM
Mass2,000 kg
ProgrammeApollo BPS
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude500 × 736 km
Inclination31.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Apollo BP-16 CM?

Apollo BP-16 CM re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Jul 1985, 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 Apollo BP-16 CM re-enter the atmosphere?

Apollo BP-16 CM re-entered on 10 Jul 1985, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Apollo BP-16 CM?

Apollo BP-16 CM was operated by MSC and built by NAAD (US).

Launched together

Pegasus 1Re-entered 1978
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.