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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OGO B

Re-entered 15 Sep 1981

OGO B (NORAD 2195, COSPAR 1966-049A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Sep 1981, launched on 7 Jun 1966 on the OGO B mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the EGO programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the OGO bus, with a mass of 487 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
1981
re-entered
15
years on orbit
487
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Jun 1966 · on the OGO B mission
Operational29 Feb 1972 · entered service
Retired29 Feb 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered15 Sep 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2195
COSPAR1966-049A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusOGO
Mass487 kg
ProgrammeEGO
CategorySCI
Orbit (VHEO)
Altitude905 × 121,519 km
Inclination36.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OGO B?

OGO B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Sep 1981, 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 OGO B re-enter the atmosphere?

OGO B re-entered on 15 Sep 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OGO B?

OGO B was operated by GSFC and built by TRW (US).

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