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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Bluebell 2 Cylinder

Re-entered 16 Feb 1966

Bluebell 2 Cylinder (NORAD 2014, COSPAR 1966-012B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Feb 1966, launched on 15 Feb 1966 on the GAMBIT SV 975 mission. It was operated by AFSSD as part of the AAS programme. The spacecraft was built by UNKUS on the Bluebell bus, with a mass of 9 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.

1966
launched
1966
re-entered
0
years on orbit
9
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Feb 1966 · on the GAMBIT SV 975 mission
Operational15 Feb 1966 · entered service
Retired15 Feb 1966 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 Feb 1966 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2014
COSPAR1966-012B
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFSSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerUNKUS
BusBluebell
Mass9 kg
ProgrammeAAS
CategoryCAL?
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude150 × 200 km
Inclination96.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Bluebell 2 Cylinder?

Bluebell 2 Cylinder re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Feb 1966, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1966. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Bluebell 2 Cylinder re-enter the atmosphere?

Bluebell 2 Cylinder re-entered on 16 Feb 1966, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Bluebell 2 Cylinder?

Bluebell 2 Cylinder was operated by AFSSD and built by UNKUS (US).

Launched together

GAMBIT SV 975Re-entered 1966Bluebell 2 SphereRe-entered 1966
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.