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Vela 3B

Re-entered 1 Sep 1969

Vela 3B (NORAD 1459, COSPAR 1965-058B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Sep 1969, 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
1969
re-entered
4
years on orbit
132
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Jul 1965 · on the Vela 3A mission
Operational1 Oct 1970 · entered service
Retired1 Oct 1970 · end of operational service
Re-entered1 Sep 1969 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1459
COSPAR1965-058B
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFSSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusVela
Mass132 kg
ProgrammeVela
CategoryEW
Orbit (VHEO)
Altitude101,714 × 121,281 km
Inclination34.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Vela 3B?

Vela 3B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Sep 1969, 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 3B re-enter the atmosphere?

Vela 3B re-entered on 1 Sep 1969, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Vela 3B?

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

Launched together

Vela 3ARe-entered 1972ERS 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? →