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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-099

Re-entered 6 Aug 1985

OV-099 (NORAD 15925, COSPAR 1985-063A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Aug 1985, launched on 29 Jul 1985 on the OV-099 Spacelab mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-099 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 95,229 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
95,229
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 Jul 1985 · on the OV-099 Spacelab mission
Operational6 Aug 1985 · entered service
Retired6 Aug 1985 · end of operational service
Re-entered6 Aug 1985 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15925
COSPAR1985-063A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass95,229 kg (85,615 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-099
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude311 × 320 km
Inclination49.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-099?

OV-099 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Aug 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-099 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-099 re-entered on 6 Aug 1985, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-099?

OV-099 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

Launched together

PDPRe-entered 1985
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.