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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

GLORIA II

Re-entered 15 Aug 1991

GLORIA II (NORAD 21262, COSPAR 1991-031C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Aug 1991, launched on 28 Apr 1991 on the OV-103 Research/FF 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 122 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
122
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Apr 1991 · on the OV-103 Research/FF mission
Operational1 Jul 1991 · entered service
Retired1 Jul 1991 · end of operational service
Re-entered15 Aug 1991 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21262
COSPAR1991-031C
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBALL
BusMPEC
Mass122 kg
ProgrammeNRO Sig Tech
CategoryCOM?
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude253 × 265 km
Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to GLORIA II?

GLORIA II re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Aug 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 GLORIA II re-enter the atmosphere?

GLORIA II re-entered on 15 Aug 1991, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built GLORIA II?

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

Launched together

OV-103Re-entered 1991SPAS-2Re-entered 1991CRO-CORe-entered 1991CRO-BURe-entered 1991CRO-AMRe-entered 1991
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.