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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ITV 2 Canister

Re-entered 23 Feb 1987

ITV 2 Canister (NORAD 17257, COSPAR 1985-114E) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Feb 1987, launched on 13 Dec 1985 on the ITV 1 mission. It was operated by AFSD as part of the ITV programme. The spacecraft was built by RCA?, with a mass of 20 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
1987
re-entered
2
years on orbit
20
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Dec 1985 · on the ITV 1 mission
Operational13 Dec 1985 · entered service
Retired13 Dec 1985 · end of operational service
Re-entered23 Feb 1987 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID17257
COSPAR1985-114E
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRCA?
Mass20 kg
ProgrammeITV
CategoryTARG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude313 × 721 km
Inclination37.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ITV 2 Canister?

ITV 2 Canister re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Feb 1987, 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 ITV 2 Canister re-enter the atmosphere?

ITV 2 Canister re-entered on 23 Feb 1987, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ITV 2 Canister?

ITV 2 Canister was operated by AFSD and built by RCA? (US).

Launched together

ITV 1Re-entered 1989ITV 2Re-entered 1987
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.