ERS 16

Re-entered 12 Mar 1967

ERS 16 (NORAD 2202, COSPAR 1966-051C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Mar 1967, launched on 9 Jun 1966 on the Midas RTS-I F1 mission. It was operated by AFSSD as part of the ORS II programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the ORS bus, with a mass of 5 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

1967

re-entered

year on orbit

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Jun 1966 · on the Midas RTS-I F1 mission

Operational1 Mar 1967 · entered service

Retired1 Mar 1967 · end of operational service

Re-entered12 Mar 1967 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2202

COSPAR1966-051C

TypeSatellite

OperatorAFSSD

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerTRW

BusORS

Mass5 kg

ProgrammeORS II

CategoryTECH

OrbitLEO (LEO/P)

Altitude176 × 3,396 km

Inclination90.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ERS 16?

ERS 16 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Mar 1967, 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 ERS 16 re-enter the atmosphere?

ERS 16 re-entered on 12 Mar 1967, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ERS 16?

ERS 16 was operated by AFSSD and built by TRW (US).

Launched together

Midas RTS-I F1Re-entered 1966 Secor II S/N 7 (TR-30A)Re-entered 1967

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: Midas RTS-I F1 → What is space debris? →