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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

PARCAE 3

Re-entered 1 May 2021

PARCAE 3 (NORAD 11720, COSPAR 1980-019A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 May 2021, launched on 3 Mar 1980 on the PARCAE 3 mission. It was operated by NRO / NRL as part of the PARCAE programme. The spacecraft was built by MM on the NOSS MSD bus, with a mass of 559 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
2021
re-entered
41
years on orbit
559
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Mar 1980 · on the PARCAE 3 mission
Operational1 Jan 1985 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1985 · end of operational service
Re-entered1 May 2021 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11720
COSPAR1980-019A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / NRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMM
BusNOSS MSD
Mass559 kg
ProgrammePARCAE
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude1,056 × 1,163 km
Inclination63.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to PARCAE 3?

PARCAE 3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 May 2021, 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 PARCAE 3 re-enter the atmosphere?

PARCAE 3 re-entered on 1 May 2021, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built PARCAE 3?

PARCAE 3 was operated by NRO / NRL and built by MM (US).

Launched together

PARCAE 3 SSU 1NORAD 11731PARCAE 3 SSU 2NORAD 11732PARCAE 3 SSU 3Re-entered 2021
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.