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SAMOS E-5 No. 2

Re-entered 9 Jan 1962

SAMOS E-5 No. 2 (NORAD 219, COSPAR 1961 A LAM 3) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Jan 1962, launched on 22 Dec 1961. It was operated by SAFSP as part of the SAMOS E-5 programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC on the E-5 RV bus, with a mass of 800 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.

1961
launched
1962
re-entered
1
year on orbit
800
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Dec 1961
Operational23 Dec 1961 · entered service
Retired23 Dec 1961 · end of operational service
Re-entered9 Jan 1962 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID219
COSPAR1961 A LAM 3
TypeSatellite
OperatorSAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusE-5 RV
Mass800 kg
ProgrammeSAMOS E-5
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/P)
Altitude187 × 275 km
Inclination89.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SAMOS E-5 No. 2?

SAMOS E-5 No. 2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Jan 1962, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1961. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SAMOS E-5 No. 2 re-enter the atmosphere?

SAMOS E-5 No. 2 re-entered on 9 Jan 1962, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SAMOS E-5 No. 2?

SAMOS E-5 No. 2 was operated by SAFSP and built by LMSC (US).

Launched together

AFTRACK 18 (S.T. LOW)Re-entered 1961
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.