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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

INTELSAT I

Re-entered 18 Jul 2001

INTELSAT I (NORAD 1317, COSPAR 1965-028A) was a I-INT satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, launched on 6 Apr 1965 on the INTELSAT I mission. It was operated by INTEL as part of the Int1 programme. The spacecraft was built by HSES on the HS-303A bus, with a mass of 35 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
2001
re-entered
36
years on orbit
35
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Apr 1965 · on the INTELSAT I mission
Operational1 Apr 1971 · entered service
Retired1 Apr 1971 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Jul 2001 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1317
COSPAR1965-028A
TypeSatellite
OperatorINTEL
Country / StateI-INT
ManufacturerHSES
BusHS-303A
Mass35 kg (30 kg dry)
ProgrammeInt1
CategoryCOM
OrbitGEO (GEO/D)
Altitude35,785 × 35,808 km
Inclination1.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to INTELSAT I?

INTELSAT I re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, 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 INTELSAT I re-enter the atmosphere?

INTELSAT I re-entered on 18 Jul 2001, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built INTELSAT I?

INTELSAT I was operated by INTEL and built by HSES (I-INT).

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