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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

POPPY 4 Delta

Re-entered 3 May 1965

POPPY 4 Delta (NORAD 1292, COSPAR 1965-016C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 May 1965, launched on 9 Mar 1965 on the Secor Type II S/N 1 mission. It was operated by NRO / NRL as part of the POPPY programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the NRL 24" bus, with a mass of 59 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
1965
re-entered
0
years on orbit
59
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Mar 1965 · on the Secor Type II S/N 1 mission
Operational1 Aug 1966 · entered service
Retired1 Aug 1966 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 May 1965 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1292
COSPAR1965-016C
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / NRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusNRL 24"
Mass59 kg
ProgrammePOPPY
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude906 × 941 km
Inclination70.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to POPPY 4 Delta?

POPPY 4 Delta re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 May 1965, 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 POPPY 4 Delta re-enter the atmosphere?

POPPY 4 Delta re-entered on 3 May 1965, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built POPPY 4 Delta?

POPPY 4 Delta was operated by NRO / NRL and built by NRL (US).

Launched together

POPPY 4 BravoNORAD 1271POPPY 4 CharlieRe-entered 1965POPPY 4 AlfaNORAD 1291Secor II S/N 1 (TR-27)NORAD 1208OSCAR 3NORAD 1293SURCALRe-entered 1981Dodecapole INORAD 1272
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.