OV-099

Re-entered 6 Nov 1985

OV-099 (NORAD 16230, COSPAR 1985-104A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Nov 1985, launched on 30 Oct 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 88,535 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

88,535

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Oct 1985 · on the OV-099 Spacelab mission

Operational6 Nov 1985 · entered service

Retired6 Nov 1985 · end of operational service

Re-entered6 Nov 1985 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID16230

COSPAR1985-104A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass88,535 kg (82,423 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-099

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude322 × 332 km

Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-099?

OV-099 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Nov 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 Nov 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

GLOMRRe-entered 1986

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-099 Spacelab → What is space debris? →