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ERS 17

Re-entered 1 Jul 1968

ERS 17 (NORAD 1460, COSPAR 1965-058C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jul 1968, launched on 20 Jul 1965 on the Vela 3A mission. It was operated by AFSSD as part of the ORS III programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the ORS Mk III bus, with a mass of 5 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
5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Jul 1965 · on the Vela 3A mission
Operational3 Nov 1965 · entered service
Retired3 Nov 1965 · end of operational service
Re-entered1 Jul 1968 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1460
COSPAR1965-058C
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFSSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusORS Mk III
Mass5 kg
ProgrammeORS III
CategoryAST
Orbit (VHEO)
Altitude566 × 111,790 km
Inclination36.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ERS 17?

ERS 17 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jul 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 ERS 17 re-enter the atmosphere?

ERS 17 re-entered on 1 Jul 1968, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ERS 17?

ERS 17 was operated by AFSSD and built by TRW (US).

Launched together

Vela 3ARe-entered 1972Vela 3BRe-entered 1969
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.