Home›Library›Re-entered Satellites›CRO-AM
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CRO-AM

Re-entered 13 May 1991

CRO-AM (NORAD 21247, COSPAR 1991-031F) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 May 1991, launched on 28 Apr 1991 on the OV-103 Research/FF mission. It was operated by SDIO as part of the SDIO SS programme. The spacecraft was built by DSI on the CRO bus, with a mass of 90 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
0
years on orbit
90
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Apr 1991 · on the OV-103 Research/FF mission
Operational3 May 1991 · entered service
Retired12 May 1991 · end of operational service
Re-entered13 May 1991 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21247
COSPAR1991-031F
TypeSatellite
OperatorSDIO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerDSI
BusCRO
Mass90 kg (63 kg dry)
ProgrammeSDIO SS
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude229 × 251 km
Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CRO-AM?

CRO-AM re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 May 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 CRO-AM re-enter the atmosphere?

CRO-AM re-entered on 13 May 1991, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CRO-AM?

CRO-AM was operated by SDIO and built by DSI (US).

Launched together

OV-103Re-entered 1991SPAS-2Re-entered 1991GLORIA IIRe-entered 1991CRO-CORe-entered 1991CRO-BURe-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-103 Research/FF → What is space debris? →