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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-103

Re-entered 30 Jan 1992

OV-103 (NORAD 21846, COSPAR 1992-002A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Jan 1992, launched on 22 Jan 1992 on the OV-103 Spacelab 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 91,870 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.

1992
launched
1992
re-entered
0
years on orbit
91,870
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Jan 1992 · on the OV-103 Spacelab mission
Operational30 Jan 1992 · entered service
Retired30 Jan 1992 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Jan 1992 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21846
COSPAR1992-002A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass91,870 kg (85,820 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-103
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude292 × 304 km
Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Jan 1992, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1992. 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 30 Jan 1992, 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).

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