OV-102

Re-entered 14 Nov 1981

OV-102 (NORAD 12953, COSPAR 1981-111A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Nov 1981, launched on 12 Nov 1981 on the OV-102 OFT-2 mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-102 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 91,111 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

1981

re-entered

years on orbit

91,111

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Nov 1981 · on the OV-102 OFT-2 mission

Operational14 Nov 1981 · entered service

Retired14 Nov 1981 · end of operational service

Re-entered14 Nov 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12953

COSPAR1981-111A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass91,111 kg (84,044 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-102

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude254 × 264 km

Inclination38.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-102?

OV-102 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Nov 1981, 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 OV-102 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-102 re-entered on 14 Nov 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-102?

OV-102 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (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: OV-102 OFT-2 → What is space debris? →