OV-104

Re-entered 23 Oct 1989

OV-104 (NORAD 20297, COSPAR 1989-084A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Oct 1989, launched on 18 Oct 1989 on the OV-104 IUS 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 90,933 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

90,933

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Oct 1989 · on the OV-104 IUS deploy mission

Operational23 Oct 1989 · entered service

Retired23 Oct 1989 · end of operational service

Re-entered23 Oct 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20297

COSPAR1989-084A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass90,933 kg (85,494 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-104

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude299 × 333 km

Inclination34.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-104?

OV-104 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Oct 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-104 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-104 re-entered on 23 Oct 1989, 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

GalileoRe-entered 1989

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-104 IUS deploy → What is space debris? →