HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesOV-102
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-102

Re-entered 16 Nov 1982

OV-102 (NORAD 13650, COSPAR 1982-110A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Nov 1982, launched on 11 Nov 1982 on the OV-102 PAM deploy 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 90,523 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.

1982
launched
1982
re-entered
0
years on orbit
90,523
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched11 Nov 1982 · on the OV-102 PAM deploy mission
Operational16 Nov 1982 · entered service
Retired16 Nov 1982 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 Nov 1982 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID13650
COSPAR1982-110A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass90,523 kg (84,104 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-102
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude296 × 318 km
Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-102?

OV-102 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Nov 1982, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1982. 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 16 Nov 1982, 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).

Launched together

SBS 3Re-entered 1985Anik C3NORAD 13652
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.