OV-102

Re-entered 18 Jan 1986

OV-102 (NORAD 16481, COSPAR 1986-003A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jan 1986, launched on 12 Jan 1986 on the OV-102 PAM deploy mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-102 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 95,246 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.

1986

launched

1986

re-entered

years on orbit

95,246

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Jan 1986 · on the OV-102 PAM deploy mission

Operational18 Jan 1986 · entered service

Retired18 Jan 1986 · end of operational service

Re-entered18 Jan 1986 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID16481

COSPAR1986-003A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass95,246 kg (87,874 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-102

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude323 × 346 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-102?

OV-102 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jan 1986, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1986. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did OV-102 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-102 re-entered on 18 Jan 1986, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-102?

OV-102 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

Launched together

Satcom K-1NORAD 16482

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-102 PAM deploy → What is space debris? →