OV-103

Re-entered 18 Sep 1991

OV-103 (NORAD 21700, COSPAR 1991-063A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Sep 1991, launched on 12 Sep 1991 on the OV-103 LEO deploy mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-103 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 93,890 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

93,890

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Sep 1991 · on the OV-103 LEO deploy mission

Operational18 Sep 1991 · entered service

Retired18 Sep 1991 · end of operational service

Re-entered18 Sep 1991 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21700

COSPAR1991-063A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass93,890 kg (86,191 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-103

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude563 × 575 km

Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Sep 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-103 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-103 re-entered on 18 Sep 1991, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-103?

OV-103 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

Launched together

UARSRe-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 LEO deploy → What is space debris? →