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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

PDP

Re-entered 30 Jul 1985

PDP (NORAD 15929, COSPAR 1985-063B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Jul 1985, launched on 29 Jul 1985 on the OV-099 Spacelab mission. It was operated by MSFC as part of the PDP programme. The spacecraft was built by UIA on the PDP bus, with a mass of 285 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
285
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 Jul 1985 · on the OV-099 Spacelab mission
Operational2 Aug 1985 · entered service
Retired2 Aug 1985 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Jul 1985 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15929
COSPAR1985-063B
TypeSatellite
OperatorMSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerUIA
BusPDP
Mass285 kg
ProgrammePDP
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude310 × 320 km
Inclination49.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to PDP?

PDP re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Jul 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 PDP re-enter the atmosphere?

PDP re-entered on 30 Jul 1985, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built PDP?

PDP was operated by MSFC and built by UIA (US).

Launched together

OV-099Re-entered 1985
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.