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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

RA-9

Re-entered 24 Mar 1965

RA-9 (NORAD 1294, COSPAR 1965-023A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Mar 1965, launched on 21 Mar 1965 on the RA-9 mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Ranger III programme. The spacecraft was built by JPL on the Ranger Block III bus, with a mass of 368 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
368
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Mar 1965 · on the RA-9 mission
Operational24 Mar 1965 · entered service
Retired24 Mar 1965 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 Mar 1965 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1294
COSPAR1965-023A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerJPL
BusRanger Block III
Mass368 kg (367 kg dry)
ProgrammeRanger III
CategoryPLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude188 × 772,332 km
Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to RA-9?

RA-9 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Mar 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 RA-9 re-enter the atmosphere?

RA-9 re-entered on 24 Mar 1965, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built RA-9?

RA-9 was operated by JPL and built by JPL (US).

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