🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
NASA A-3
Retired 1962NASA A-3 (NORAD 162, COSPAR 1961 RHO 1) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 27 Feb 1962, launched on 12 Jul 1961. It was operated by GSFC as part of the Tiros A programme. The spacecraft was built by RCA on the Tiros bus, with a mass of 129 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1961
launched
1962
retired
65
years on orbit
129
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched12 Jul 1961
Operational27 Feb 1962 · entered service
Retired27 Feb 1962 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID162
COSPAR1961 RHO 1
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRCA
BusTiros
Mass129 kg
ProgrammeTiros A
CategoryMET
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude734 × 821 km
Inclination47.9°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to NASA A-3?
NASA A-3 was retired from service around 27 Feb 1962 after launching in 1961. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built NASA A-3?
NASA A-3 was operated by GSFC and built by RCA (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.