OV-103

Re-entered 29 Apr 1990

OV-103 (NORAD 20579, COSPAR 1990-037A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Apr 1990, launched on 24 Apr 1990 on the OV-103 HST mission 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 93,024 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.

1990

launched

1990

re-entered

years on orbit

93,024

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Apr 1990 · on the OV-103 HST mission mission

Operational29 Apr 1990 · entered service

Retired29 Apr 1990 · end of operational service

Re-entered29 Apr 1990 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20579

COSPAR1990-037A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass93,024 kg (84,568 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-103

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LEO/I)

Altitude614 × 618 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Apr 1990, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1990. 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 29 Apr 1990, 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

Hubble Space TelescopeRe-entered 1990

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 HST mission → What is space debris? →