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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

PS-1

Re-entered 4 Jan 1958

PS-1 (NORAD 2, COSPAR 1957 ALP 2) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jan 1958, launched on 4 Oct 1957. It was operated by OKB1 as part of the Sputnik programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB1 on the PS bus, with a mass of 84 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.

1957
launched
1958
re-entered
1
year on orbit
84
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched4 Oct 1957
Operational27 Oct 1957 · entered service
Retired27 Oct 1957 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Jan 1958 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2
COSPAR1957 ALP 2
TypeSatellite
OperatorOKB1
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerOKB1
BusPS
Mass84 kg
ProgrammeSputnik
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude214 × 938 km
Inclination65.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to PS-1?

PS-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jan 1958, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1957. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did PS-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

PS-1 re-entered on 4 Jan 1958, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built PS-1?

PS-1 was operated by OKB1 and built by OKB1 (SU).

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