KENNEN 4

Re-entered 23 Nov 1984

KENNEN 4 (NORAD 12799, COSPAR 1981-085A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Nov 1984, launched on 3 Sep 1981 on the KH11-4 KENNAN mission. It was operated by NRO / CIA as part of the KH-11 programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the KH-11 bus, with a mass of 8,556 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

1984

re-entered

years on orbit

8,556

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Sep 1981 · on the KH11-4 KENNAN mission

Operational23 Nov 1984 · entered service

Retired23 Nov 1984 · end of operational service

Re-entered23 Nov 1984 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12799

COSPAR1981-085A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / CIA

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerTRW

BusKH-11

Mass8,556 kg

ProgrammeKH-11

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)

Altitude276 × 511 km

Inclination97.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to KENNEN 4?

KENNEN 4 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Nov 1984, 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 KENNEN 4 re-enter the atmosphere?

KENNEN 4 re-entered on 23 Nov 1984, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built KENNEN 4?

KENNEN 4 was operated by NRO / CIA and built by TRW (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: KH11-4 KENNAN → What is space debris? →