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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-105

Re-entered 16 May 1992

OV-105 (NORAD 21963, COSPAR 1992-026A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 May 1992, launched on 7 May 1992 on the OV-105 Rendezvous mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-105 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 96,115 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
96,115
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 May 1992 · on the OV-105 Rendezvous mission
Operational16 May 1992 · entered service
Retired16 May 1992 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 May 1992 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21963
COSPAR1992-026A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass96,115 kg (86,470 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-105
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude275 × 350 km
Inclination28.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-105?

OV-105 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 May 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-105 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-105 re-entered on 16 May 1992, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-105?

OV-105 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.