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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Lead Ballast

Re-entered 29 Jun 1965

Lead Ballast (NORAD 1412, COSPAR 1965-047A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Jun 1965, launched on 18 Jun 1965 on the Lead Ballast mission. It was operated by AFSSD as part of the Transtage PL programme. The spacecraft was built by MM on the Titan 3 PLF bus, with a mass of 8,948 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
8,948
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Jun 1965 · on the Lead Ballast mission
Operational18 Jun 1965 · entered service
Retired18 Jun 1965 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 Jun 1965 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1412
COSPAR1965-047A
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFSSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMM
BusTitan 3 PLF
Mass8,948 kg
ProgrammeTranstage PL
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude168 × 189 km
Inclination32.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Lead Ballast?

Lead Ballast re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Jun 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 Lead Ballast re-enter the atmosphere?

Lead Ballast re-entered on 29 Jun 1965, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Lead Ballast?

Lead Ballast was operated by AFSSD and built by MM (US).

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