OV-103

Re-entered 18 Mar 1989

OV-103 (NORAD 19882, COSPAR 1989-021A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Mar 1989, launched on 13 Mar 1989 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 90,793 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.

1989

launched

1989

re-entered

years on orbit

90,793

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Mar 1989 · on the OV-103 IUS deploy mission

Operational18 Mar 1989 · entered service

Retired18 Mar 1989 · end of operational service

Re-entered18 Mar 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID19882

COSPAR1989-021A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass90,793 kg (85,113 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-103

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude301 × 333 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Mar 1989, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1989. 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 18 Mar 1989, 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 DNORAD 19883

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-103 IUS deploy → What is space debris? →