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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-103

Re-entered 5 Sep 1984

OV-103 (NORAD 15234, COSPAR 1984-093A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Sep 1984, launched on 30 Aug 1984 on the OV-103 PAM deploy mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-103 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 92,955 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
0
years on orbit
92,955
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Aug 1984 · on the OV-103 PAM deploy mission
Operational5 Sep 1984 · entered service
Retired5 Sep 1984 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Sep 1984 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15234
COSPAR1984-093A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass92,955 kg (86,086 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-103
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude296 × 329 km
Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Sep 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 OV-103 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-103 re-entered on 5 Sep 1984, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-103?

OV-103 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

Launched together

SBS DRe-entered 1985Syncom IV-2NORAD 15236Telstar 3CNORAD 15237
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.