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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

DE B

Re-entered 19 Feb 1983

DE B (NORAD 12625, COSPAR 1981-070B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Feb 1983, launched on 3 Aug 1981 on the DE A mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the DeltaEx programme. The spacecraft was built by RCA on the DE bus, with a mass of 420 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.

1981
launched
1983
re-entered
2
years on orbit
420
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Aug 1981 · on the DE A mission
Operational19 Feb 1983 · entered service
Retired19 Feb 1983 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Feb 1983 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12625
COSPAR1981-070B
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRCA
BusDE
Mass420 kg (403 kg dry)
ProgrammeDeltaEx
CategoryEOSCI/SCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude299 × 990 km
Inclination90.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DE B?

DE B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Feb 1983, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1981. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did DE B re-enter the atmosphere?

DE B re-entered on 19 Feb 1983, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DE B?

DE B was operated by GSFC and built by RCA (US).

Launched together

DE ANORAD 12624
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.