OV-104

Re-entered 11 Apr 1991

OV-104 (NORAD 21224, COSPAR 1991-027A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Apr 1991, launched on 5 Apr 1991 on the OV-104 LEO 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 91,847 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.

1991

launched

1991

re-entered

years on orbit

91,847

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Apr 1991 · on the OV-104 LEO deploy mission

Operational11 Apr 1991 · entered service

Retired11 Apr 1991 · end of operational service

Re-entered11 Apr 1991 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21224

COSPAR1991-027A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass91,847 kg (84,467 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-104

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude445 × 458 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-104?

OV-104 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Apr 1991, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1991. 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 11 Apr 1991, 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

Gamma Ray ObservatoryRe-entered 1991

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 LEO deploy → What is space debris? →