OV-102

Re-entered 14 Jun 1991

OV-102 (NORAD 21399, COSPAR 1991-040A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Jun 1991, launched on 5 Jun 1991 on the OV-102 Spacelab mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-102 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 95,722 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

95,722

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Jun 1991 · on the OV-102 Spacelab mission

Operational14 Jun 1991 · entered service

Retired14 Jun 1991 · end of operational service

Re-entered14 Jun 1991 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21399

COSPAR1991-040A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass95,722 kg (89,081 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-102

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude278 × 296 km

Inclination39.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-102?

OV-102 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Jun 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-102 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-102 re-entered on 14 Jun 1991, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-102?

OV-102 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

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-102 Spacelab → What is space debris? →