Vela 3A

Re-entered 1 Jan 1972

Vela 3A (NORAD 1458, COSPAR 1965-058A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 1972, launched on 20 Jul 1965 on the Vela 3A mission. It was operated by AFSSD as part of the Vela programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the Vela bus, with a mass of 132 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

1972

re-entered

years on orbit

132

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Jul 1965 · on the Vela 3A mission

Operational21 May 1970 · entered service

Retired21 May 1970 · end of operational service

Re-entered1 Jan 1972 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1458

COSPAR1965-058A

TypeSatellite

OperatorAFSSD

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerTRW

BusVela

Mass132 kg

ProgrammeVela

CategoryEW

Orbit (VHEO)

Altitude106,366 × 115,838 km

Inclination35.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Vela 3A?

Vela 3A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 1972, 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 Vela 3A re-enter the atmosphere?

Vela 3A re-entered on 1 Jan 1972, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Vela 3A?

Vela 3A was operated by AFSSD and built by TRW (US).

Launched together

Vela 3BRe-entered 1969 ERS 17Re-entered 1968

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Vela 3A → What is space debris? →