OV-103

Re-entered 19 Apr 1985

OV-103 (NORAD 15641, COSPAR 1985-028A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Apr 1985, launched on 12 Apr 1985 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 95,325 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.

1985

launched

1985

re-entered

years on orbit

95,325

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Apr 1985 · on the OV-103 PAM deploy mission

Operational19 Apr 1985 · entered service

Retired19 Apr 1985 · end of operational service

Re-entered19 Apr 1985 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15641

COSPAR1985-028A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass95,325 kg (86,839 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-103

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude314 × 461 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Apr 1985, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1985. 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 19 Apr 1985, 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

Anik C1Re-entered 1993 Syncom IV-3Re-entered 1985

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-103 PAM deploy → What is space debris? →