OV-104

Re-entered 7 Oct 1985

OV-104 (NORAD 16115, COSPAR 1985-092A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Oct 1985, launched on 3 Oct 1985 on the OV-104 IUS deploy mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-104 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 93,123 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

93,123

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Oct 1985 · on the OV-104 IUS deploy mission

Operational7 Oct 1985 · entered service

Retired7 Oct 1985 · end of operational service

Re-entered7 Oct 1985 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID16115

COSPAR1985-092A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass93,123 kg (85,030 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-104

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude476 × 515 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-104?

OV-104 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Oct 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-104 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-104 re-entered on 7 Oct 1985, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-104?

OV-104 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

Launched together

DSCS III B-4NORAD 16116 DSCS III B-5NORAD 16117

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-104 IUS deploy → What is space debris? →