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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-103

Re-entered 3 Oct 1988

OV-103 (NORAD 19547, COSPAR 1988-091A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Oct 1988, launched on 29 Sep 1988 on the OV-103 IUS deploy mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-103 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 90,382 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.

1988
launched
1988
re-entered
0
years on orbit
90,382
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 Sep 1988 · on the OV-103 IUS deploy mission
Operational3 Oct 1988 · entered service
Retired3 Oct 1988 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 Oct 1988 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID19547
COSPAR1988-091A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass90,382 kg (85,183 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-103
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude302 × 331 km
Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Oct 1988, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1988. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did OV-103 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-103 re-entered on 3 Oct 1988, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-103?

OV-103 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

Launched together

TDRS CNORAD 19548
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.