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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

GAMBIT SV 971

Re-entered 7 Aug 1965

GAMBIT SV 971 (NORAD 1471, COSPAR 1965-062A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Aug 1965, launched on 3 Aug 1965 on the GAMBIT SV 971 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the AFP-206 programme. The spacecraft was built by GEVF on the AFP-206 OCV bus, with a mass of 2,000 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
1965
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,000
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Aug 1965 · on the GAMBIT SV 971 mission
Operational6 Aug 1965 · entered service
Retired6 Aug 1965 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Aug 1965 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1471
COSPAR1965-062A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGEVF
BusAFP-206 OCV
Mass2,000 kg
ProgrammeAFP-206
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/R)
Altitude149 × 307 km
Inclination107.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to GAMBIT SV 971?

GAMBIT SV 971 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Aug 1965, 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 GAMBIT SV 971 re-enter the atmosphere?

GAMBIT SV 971 re-entered on 7 Aug 1965, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built GAMBIT SV 971?

GAMBIT SV 971 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by GEVF (US).

Launched together

P-11 No. 4403Re-entered 1968
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.