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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-103

Re-entered 3 Sep 1985

OV-103 (NORAD 15992, COSPAR 1985-076A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Sep 1985, launched on 27 Aug 1985 on the OV-103 PAM deploy/Rend 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 94,888 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
94,888
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched27 Aug 1985 · on the OV-103 PAM deploy/Rend mission
Operational3 Sep 1985 · entered service
Retired3 Sep 1985 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 Sep 1985 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15992
COSPAR1985-076A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass94,888 kg (85,474 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-103
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude351 × 395 km
Inclination28.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Sep 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 3 Sep 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

Aussat K1Re-entered 1992ASC 1Re-entered 1991Syncom IV-4NORAD 15995
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/Rend → What is space debris? →