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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

UARS

Re-entered 14 Sep 1991

UARS (NORAD 21701, COSPAR 1991-063B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Sep 1991, launched on 12 Sep 1991 on the OV-103 LEO deploy mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the UARS programme. The spacecraft was built by GEVF/FAIR on the MMS bus, with a mass of 6,526 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
6,526
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Sep 1991 · on the OV-103 LEO deploy mission
Operational14 Dec 2005 · entered service
Retired14 Dec 2005 · end of operational service
Re-entered14 Sep 1991 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21701
COSPAR1991-063B
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGEVF/FAIR
BusMMS
Mass6,526 kg (6,323 kg dry)
ProgrammeUARS
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude573 × 580 km
Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to UARS?

UARS re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 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 UARS re-enter the atmosphere?

UARS re-entered on 14 Sep 1991, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built UARS?

UARS was operated by GSFC and built by GEVF/FAIR (US).

Launched together

OV-103Re-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? →