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Pageos A (RCS 1.5)

Re-entered 2 Sep 2016

Pageos A (RCS 1.5) (NORAD 2253, COSPAR 1966-056A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Sep 2016, launched on 24 Jun 1966 on the Pageos A mission. It was operated by LARCN as part of the Pageos programme. The spacecraft was built by SCHJ on the Echo 100' bus, with a mass of 67 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
2016
re-entered
50
years on orbit
67
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Jun 1966 · on the Pageos A mission
Operational24 Jun 1966 · entered service
Retired24 Jun 1966 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Sep 2016 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2253
COSPAR1966-056A
TypeSatellite
OperatorLARCN
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSCHJ
BusEcho 100'
Mass67 kg (57 kg dry)
ProgrammePageos
CategoryGEOD
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude3,978 × 4,496 km
Inclination87.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Pageos A (RCS 1.5)?

Pageos A (RCS 1.5) re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Sep 2016, 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 Pageos A (RCS 1.5) re-enter the atmosphere?

Pageos A (RCS 1.5) re-entered on 2 Sep 2016, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Pageos A (RCS 1.5)?

Pageos A (RCS 1.5) was operated by LARCN and built by SCHJ (US).

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