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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SPTN-101

Re-entered 20 Jun 1985

SPTN-101 (NORAD 15831, COSPAR 1985-048E) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Jun 1985, launched on 17 Jun 1985 on the OV-103 PAM deploy/FF mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the Spartan100 programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC on the SPTN-100 bus, with a mass of 1,006 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
0
years on orbit
1,006
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Jun 1985 · on the OV-103 PAM deploy/FF mission
Operational22 Jun 1985 · entered service
Retired22 Jun 1985 · end of operational service
Re-entered20 Jun 1985 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15831
COSPAR1985-048E
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC
BusSPTN-100
Mass1,006 kg
ProgrammeSpartan100
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude354 × 390 km
Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SPTN-101?

SPTN-101 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Jun 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 SPTN-101 re-enter the atmosphere?

SPTN-101 re-entered on 20 Jun 1985, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SPTN-101?

SPTN-101 was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC (US).

Launched together

OV-103Re-entered 1985Morelos 1NORAD 15824Arabsat 1BNORAD 15825Telstar 3DNORAD 15826
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.