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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-104

Re-entered 6 Dec 1988

OV-104 (NORAD 19670, COSPAR 1988-106A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Dec 1988, launched on 2 Dec 1988 on the OV-104 LEO deploy mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-104 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 92,627 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
92,627
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Dec 1988 · on the OV-104 LEO deploy mission
Operational6 Dec 1988 · entered service
Retired6 Dec 1988 · end of operational service
Re-entered6 Dec 1988 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID19670
COSPAR1988-106A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass92,627 kg (85,743 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-104
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude443 × 454 km
Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-104?

OV-104 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Dec 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-104 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-104 re-entered on 6 Dec 1988, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-104?

OV-104 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

Launched together

LACROSSE 1Re-entered 1988
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.