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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Apollo BP-26 CM

Re-entered 8 Jul 1989

Apollo BP-26 CM (NORAD 1385, COSPAR 1965-039B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Jul 1989, launched on 25 May 1965 on the Pegasus 2 mission. It was operated by MSC as part of the Apollo BPS programme. The spacecraft was built by NAAD on the CM bus, with a mass of 2,000 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
1989
re-entered
24
years on orbit
2,000
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 May 1965 · on the Pegasus 2 mission
Operational25 May 1965 · entered service
Retired25 May 1965 · end of operational service
Re-entered8 Jul 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1385
COSPAR1965-039B
TypeSatellite
OperatorMSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNAAD
BusCM
Mass2,000 kg
ProgrammeApollo BPS
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude511 × 739 km
Inclination31.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Apollo BP-26 CM?

Apollo BP-26 CM re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Jul 1989, 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 Apollo BP-26 CM re-enter the atmosphere?

Apollo BP-26 CM re-entered on 8 Jul 1989, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Apollo BP-26 CM?

Apollo BP-26 CM was operated by MSC and built by NAAD (US).

Launched together

Pegasus 2Re-entered 1979
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.