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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

KENNEN 3

Re-entered 30 Oct 1982

KENNEN 3 (NORAD 11687, COSPAR 1980-010A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Oct 1982, launched on 7 Feb 1980 on the KH11-3 KENNAN mission. It was operated by NRO / CIA as part of the KH-11 programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the KH-11 bus, with a mass of 8,556 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.

1980
launched
1982
re-entered
2
years on orbit
8,556
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Feb 1980 · on the KH11-3 KENNAN mission
Operational30 Oct 1982 · entered service
Retired30 Oct 1982 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Oct 1982 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11687
COSPAR1980-010A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusKH-11
Mass8,556 kg
ProgrammeKH-11
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude304 × 485 km
Inclination97.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to KENNEN 3?

KENNEN 3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Oct 1982, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1980. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did KENNEN 3 re-enter the atmosphere?

KENNEN 3 re-entered on 30 Oct 1982, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built KENNEN 3?

KENNEN 3 was operated by NRO / CIA and built by TRW (US).

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