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NOAA B

Re-entered 3 May 1981

NOAA B (NORAD 11819, COSPAR 1980-043A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 May 1981, launched on 29 May 1980 on the NOAA B mission. It was operated by NOAA as part of the Tiros N programme. The spacecraft was built by RCA on the Tiros N bus, with a mass of 685 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
1981
re-entered
1
year on orbit
685
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 May 1980 · on the NOAA B mission
Operational30 May 1980 · entered service
Retired30 May 1980 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 May 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11819
COSPAR1980-043A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNOAA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRCA
BusTiros N
Mass685 kg
ProgrammeTiros N
CategoryMET
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude267 × 1,378 km
Inclination92.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to NOAA B?

NOAA B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 May 1981, 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 NOAA B re-enter the atmosphere?

NOAA B re-entered on 3 May 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built NOAA B?

NOAA B was operated by NOAA and built by RCA (US).

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