OV-103

Re-entered 9 Dec 1992

OV-103 (NORAD 22259, COSPAR 1992-086A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Dec 1992, launched on 2 Dec 1992 on the OV-103 Medium deploy mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-103 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 92,838 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

92,838

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Dec 1992 · on the OV-103 Medium deploy mission

Operational9 Dec 1992 · entered service

Retired9 Dec 1992 · end of operational service

Re-entered9 Dec 1992 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID22259

COSPAR1992-086A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass92,838 kg (85,622 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-103

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude317 × 331 km

Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Dec 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-103 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-103 re-entered on 9 Dec 1992, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-103?

OV-103 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

Launched together

QUASAR 9NORAD 22518

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-103 Medium deploy → What is space debris? →