Pioneer 3

Re-entered 7 Dec 1958

Pioneer 3 (NORAD 111, COSPAR 1958 THE) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Dec 1958, launched on 6 Dec 1958. It was operated by ABMA as part of the Pioneer (Army) programme. The spacecraft was built by JPL on the Juno II Probe bus, with a mass of 6 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.

1958

launched

1958

re-entered

years on orbit

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Dec 1958

Operational7 Dec 1958 · entered service

Retired7 Dec 1958 · end of operational service

Re-entered7 Dec 1958 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID111

COSPAR1958 THE

TypeSatellite

OperatorABMA

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerJPL

BusJuno II Probe

Mass6 kg

ProgrammePioneer (Army)

CategoryPLAN

Orbit (SO)

Altitude-70 × 102,200 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Pioneer 3?

Pioneer 3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Dec 1958, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1958. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Pioneer 3 re-enter the atmosphere?

Pioneer 3 re-entered on 7 Dec 1958, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Pioneer 3?

Pioneer 3 was operated by ABMA and built by JPL (US).

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

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