🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

LDEF

Re-entered 7 Apr 1984

LDEF (NORAD 14898, COSPAR 1984-034B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Apr 1984, launched on 6 Apr 1984 on the OV-099 LEO deploy/Rend mission. It was operated by LARCN as part of the LDEF programme. The spacecraft was built by LARCN on the LDEF bus, with a mass of 9,705 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.

1984

launched

1984

re-entered

years on orbit

9,705

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Apr 1984 · on the OV-099 LEO deploy/Rend mission

Operational7 Apr 1984 · entered service

Retired7 Apr 1984 · end of operational service

Re-entered7 Apr 1984 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID14898

COSPAR1984-034B

TypeSatellite

OperatorLARCN

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLARCN

BusLDEF

Mass9,705 kg

ProgrammeLDEF

CategorySCI

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude476 × 478 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to LDEF?

LDEF re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Apr 1984, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1984. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did LDEF re-enter the atmosphere?

LDEF re-entered on 7 Apr 1984, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built LDEF?

LDEF was operated by LARCN and built by LARCN (US).

Launched together

OV-099Re-entered 1984

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: OV-099 LEO deploy/Rend → What is space debris? →