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Project 770 Group 1-A

Re-entered 18 Dec 1968

Project 770 Group 1-A (NORAD 1447, COSPAR 1965-055A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Dec 1968, launched on 17 Jul 1965 on the Ferret 8 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the SAMOS F-2 programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC/CHAIL on the SAMOS F-2 bus, with a mass of 600 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
1968
re-entered
3
years on orbit
600
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Jul 1965 · on the Ferret 8 mission
Operational6 Sep 1965 · entered service
Retired6 Sep 1965 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Dec 1968 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1447
COSPAR1965-055A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC/CHAIL
BusSAMOS F-2
Mass600 kg
ProgrammeSAMOS F-2
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude469 × 512 km
Inclination70.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Project 770 Group 1-A?

Project 770 Group 1-A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Dec 1968, 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 Project 770 Group 1-A re-enter the atmosphere?

Project 770 Group 1-A re-entered on 18 Dec 1968, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Project 770 Group 1-A?

Project 770 Group 1-A was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by LMSC/CHAIL (US).

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