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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

GAMBIT SV 978

Re-entered 21 May 1966

GAMBIT SV 978 (NORAD 2171, COSPAR 1966-039A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 May 1966, launched on 14 May 1966 on the GAMBIT SV 978 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the AFP-206 programme. The spacecraft was built by GEVF on the AFP-206 OCV bus, with a mass of 2,000 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.

1966
launched
1966
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,000
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 May 1966 · on the GAMBIT SV 978 mission
Operational19 May 1966 · entered service
Retired19 May 1966 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 May 1966 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2171
COSPAR1966-039A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGEVF
BusAFP-206 OCV
Mass2,000 kg
ProgrammeAFP-206
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/R)
Altitude131 × 357 km
Inclination110.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to GAMBIT SV 978?

GAMBIT SV 978 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 May 1966, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1966. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did GAMBIT SV 978 re-enter the atmosphere?

GAMBIT SV 978 re-entered on 21 May 1966, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built GAMBIT SV 978?

GAMBIT SV 978 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by GEVF (US).

Launched together

P-11 No. 4404Re-entered 1970
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.