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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

GLORIA I

Re-entered 1 Nov 1991

GLORIA I (NORAD 20172, COSPAR 1989-061C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Nov 1991, launched on 8 Aug 1989 on the OV-102 Medium deploy mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the NRO Sig Tech programme. The spacecraft was built by BALL on the MPEC bus, with a mass of 125 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
1991
re-entered
2
years on orbit
125
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Aug 1989 · on the OV-102 Medium deploy mission
Operational1 Jan 1991 · entered service
Retired1 Nov 1991 · end of operational service
Re-entered1 Nov 1991 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20172
COSPAR1989-061C
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBALL
BusMPEC
Mass125 kg
ProgrammeNRO Sig Tech
CategorySIG*
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude295 × 308 km
Inclination57.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to GLORIA I?

GLORIA I re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Nov 1991, 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 GLORIA I re-enter the atmosphere?

GLORIA I re-entered on 1 Nov 1991, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was GLORIA I operational?

GLORIA I was operational for roughly 10 months, from 1 Jan 1991 to 1 Nov 1991.

Who operated and built GLORIA I?

GLORIA I was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by BALL (US).

Launched together

OV-102Re-entered 1989QUASAR 7NORAD 20167
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.