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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Explorer 33

Re-entered 2 Jul 1966

Explorer 33 (NORAD 2258, COSPAR 1966-058A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Jul 1966, launched on 1 Jul 1966 on the AIMP D mission. It is catalogued as AIMP D. It was operated by GSFC as part of the IMP programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC on the AIMP bus, with a mass of 57 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
1966
re-entered
0
years on orbit
57
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched1 Jul 1966 · on the AIMP D mission
Operational31 May 1971 · entered service
Retired31 May 1971 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Jul 1966 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2258
COSPAR1966-058A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC
BusAIMP
Mass57 kg
ProgrammeIMP
CategorySCI
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude79,527 × 477,380 km
Inclination21.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Explorer 33?

Explorer 33 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Jul 1966, 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 Explorer 33 re-enter the atmosphere?

Explorer 33 re-entered on 2 Jul 1966, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Explorer 33?

Explorer 33 was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-10-21.