OSCAR 1

Re-entered 31 Jan 1962

OSCAR 1 (NORAD 214, COSPAR 1961 A KAP 2) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Jan 1962, launched on 12 Dec 1961. It was operated by OSCAR as part of the OSCAR programme. The spacecraft was built by OSCAR on the OSCAR bus, with a mass of 5 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.

1961

launched

1962

re-entered

year on orbit

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Dec 1961

Operational30 Dec 1961 · entered service

Retired30 Dec 1961 · end of operational service

Re-entered31 Jan 1962 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID214

COSPAR1961 A KAP 2

TypeSatellite

OperatorOSCAR

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerOSCAR

BusOSCAR

Mass5 kg

ProgrammeOSCAR

CategoryCOM

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude235 × 447 km

Inclination81.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OSCAR 1?

OSCAR 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Jan 1962, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1961. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did OSCAR 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

OSCAR 1 re-entered on 31 Jan 1962, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OSCAR 1?

OSCAR 1 was operated by OSCAR and built by OSCAR (US).

Launched together

CORONA C'''-5Re-entered 1962

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.

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