FTV 3511?

Re-entered 31 Dec 1989

FTV 3511? (NORAD 1273, COSPAR 1965-021A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Dec 1989, launched on 18 Mar 1965 on the DAPP 11 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the P35 programme. The spacecraft was built by RCA on the P35 bus, with a mass of 50 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.

1965

launched

1989

re-entered

years on orbit

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Mar 1965 · on the DAPP 11 mission

Operational15 Jun 1965 · entered service

Retired15 Jun 1965 · end of operational service

Re-entered31 Dec 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1273

COSPAR1965-021A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / SAFSP

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRCA

BusP35

Mass50 kg

ProgrammeP35

CategoryMET

OrbitLEO (LEO/S)

Altitude526 × 755 km

Inclination99.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to FTV 3511??

FTV 3511? re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Dec 1989, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1965. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did FTV 3511? re-enter the atmosphere?

FTV 3511? re-entered on 31 Dec 1989, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built FTV 3511??

FTV 3511? was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by RCA (US).

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: DAPP 11 → What is space debris? →