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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-103

Re-entered 11 Feb 1994

OV-103 (NORAD 22977, COSPAR 1994-006A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Feb 1994, launched on 3 Feb 1994 on the OV-103 Research/FF 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 95,030 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.

1994
launched
1994
re-entered
0
years on orbit
95,030
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Feb 1994 · on the OV-103 Research/FF mission
Operational11 Feb 1994 · entered service
Retired11 Feb 1994 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Feb 1994 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID22977
COSPAR1994-006A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass95,030 kg (87,541 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-103
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude346 × 358 km
Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Feb 1994, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1994. 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 11 Feb 1994, 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

ODERACS ARe-entered 1994ODERACS BRe-entered 1994ODERACS CRe-entered 1995ODERACS DRe-entered 1995ODERACS ERe-entered 1995ODERACS FRe-entered 1995BREMSATRe-entered 1995
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.