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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Pegasus 3

Re-entered 4 Aug 1969

Pegasus 3 (NORAD 1467, COSPAR 1965-060A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Aug 1969, launched on 30 Jul 1965 on the Pegasus 3 mission. It was operated by MSFC as part of the Pegasus programme. The spacecraft was built by FAIRH on the Pegasus bus, with a mass of 1,400 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
1,400
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Jul 1965 · on the Pegasus 3 mission
Operational29 Aug 1968 · entered service
Retired29 Aug 1968 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Aug 1969 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1467
COSPAR1965-060A
TypeSatellite
OperatorMSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerFAIRH
BusPegasus
Mass1,400 kg
ProgrammePegasus
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude516 × 536 km
Inclination28.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Pegasus 3?

Pegasus 3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Aug 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 Pegasus 3 re-enter the atmosphere?

Pegasus 3 re-entered on 4 Aug 1969, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Pegasus 3?

Pegasus 3 was operated by MSFC and built by FAIRH (US).

Launched together

Apollo BP-9A CMRe-entered 1975
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.