OV-104

Re-entered 2 Apr 1992

OV-104 (NORAD 21915, COSPAR 1992-015A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Apr 1992, launched on 24 Mar 1992 on the OV-104 Spacelab mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-104 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 93,062 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

years on orbit

93,062

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Mar 1992 · on the OV-104 Spacelab mission

Operational2 Apr 1992 · entered service

Retired2 Apr 1992 · end of operational service

Re-entered2 Apr 1992 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21915

COSPAR1992-015A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass93,062 kg (85,578 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-104

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude291 × 300 km

Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-104?

OV-104 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Apr 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-104 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-104 re-entered on 2 Apr 1992, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-104?

OV-104 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.

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: OV-104 Spacelab → What is space debris? →