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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

GLOMR

Re-entered 26 Dec 1986

GLOMR (NORAD 16231, COSPAR 1985-104B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Dec 1986, launched on 30 Oct 1985 on the OV-099 Spacelab mission. It was operated by DARPA / USNESC as part of the DARPA Light programme. The spacecraft was built by DSI on the GLOMR bus, with a mass of 68 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
1986
re-entered
1
year on orbit
68
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Oct 1985 · on the OV-099 Spacelab mission
Operational26 Dec 1986 · entered service
Retired26 Dec 1986 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Dec 1986 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID16231
COSPAR1985-104B
TypeSatellite
OperatorDARPA / USNESC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerDSI
BusGLOMR
Mass68 kg
ProgrammeDARPA Light
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude311 × 333 km
Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to GLOMR?

GLOMR re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Dec 1986, 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 GLOMR re-enter the atmosphere?

GLOMR re-entered on 26 Dec 1986, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built GLOMR?

GLOMR was operated by DARPA / USNESC and built by DSI (US).

Launched together

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