OV-102

Re-entered 1 Nov 1993

OV-102 (NORAD 22869, COSPAR 1993-065A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Nov 1993, launched on 18 Oct 1993 on the OV-102 Spacelab mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-102 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 97,642 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

97,642

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Oct 1993 · on the OV-102 Spacelab mission

Operational1 Nov 1993 · entered service

Retired1 Nov 1993 · end of operational service

Re-entered1 Nov 1993 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID22869

COSPAR1993-065A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass97,642 kg (92,677 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-102

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude281 × 289 km

Inclination39.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-102?

OV-102 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Nov 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-102 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-102 re-entered on 1 Nov 1993, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-102?

OV-102 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

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-102 Spacelab → What is space debris? →