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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

P-11 No. 4404

Re-entered 27 Oct 1970

P-11 No. 4404 (NORAD 2172, COSPAR 1966-039B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Oct 1970, launched on 14 May 1966 on the GAMBIT SV 978 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the EHH B programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC/ATI on the P-11 L bus, with a mass of 92 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
1970
re-entered
4
years on orbit
92
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 May 1966 · on the GAMBIT SV 978 mission
Operational14 May 1966 · entered service
Retired14 May 1966 · end of operational service
Re-entered27 Oct 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2172
COSPAR1966-039B
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC/ATI
BusP-11 L
Mass92 kg
ProgrammeEHH B
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/R)
Altitude517 × 553 km
Inclination110.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to P-11 No. 4404?

P-11 No. 4404 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Oct 1970, 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 P-11 No. 4404 re-enter the atmosphere?

P-11 No. 4404 re-entered on 27 Oct 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built P-11 No. 4404?

P-11 No. 4404 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by LMSC/ATI (US).

Launched together

GAMBIT SV 978Re-entered 1966
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.