Large Probe

Re-entered 8 Aug 1978

Large Probe (NORAD 12103, COSPAR 1978-078D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Aug 1978, launched on 8 Aug 1978 on the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission. It was operated by ARC as part of the Pioneer Venus programme. The spacecraft was built by HSES on the PV Large Probe bus, with a mass of 207 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.

1978

launched

1978

re-entered

years on orbit

207

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Aug 1978 · on the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission

Operational9 Dec 1978 · entered service

Retired9 Dec 1978 · end of operational service

Re-entered8 Aug 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12103

COSPAR1978-078D

TypeSatellite

OperatorARC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerHSES

BusPV Large Probe

Mass207 kg

ProgrammePioneer Venus

CategoryPLAN

OrbitHEO (EEO)

Altitude170 × -106,700 km

Inclination28.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Large Probe?

Large Probe re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Aug 1978, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1978. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Large Probe re-enter the atmosphere?

Large Probe re-entered on 8 Aug 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Large Probe?

Large Probe was operated by ARC and built by HSES (US).

Launched together

Pioneer Venus 2Re-entered 1978 Small Probe 1Re-entered 1978 Small Probe 2Re-entered 1978 Small Probe 3Re-entered 1978

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Pioneer Venus Multiprobe → What is space debris? →