OV-103

Re-entered 17 Apr 1993

OV-103 (NORAD 22621, COSPAR 1993-023A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Apr 1993, launched on 8 Apr 1993 on the OV-103 Spacelab 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 94,537 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.

1993

launched

1993

re-entered

years on orbit

94,537

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Apr 1993 · on the OV-103 Spacelab mission

Operational17 Apr 1993 · entered service

Retired17 Apr 1993 · end of operational service

Re-entered17 Apr 1993 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID22621

COSPAR1993-023A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass94,537 kg (86,550 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-103

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude292 × 298 km

Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Apr 1993, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1993. 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 17 Apr 1993, 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

SPTN-201Re-entered 1993

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 Spacelab → What is space debris? →