OV-102

Re-entered 23 Jul 1994

OV-102 (NORAD 23173, COSPAR 1994-039A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Jul 1994, launched on 8 Jul 1994 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 99,801 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

years on orbit

99,801

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Jul 1994 · on the OV-102 Spacelab mission

Operational23 Jul 1994 · entered service

Retired23 Jul 1994 · end of operational service

Re-entered23 Jul 1994 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID23173

COSPAR1994-039A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass99,801 kg (92,430 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-102

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude298 × 302 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-102?

OV-102 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Jul 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-102 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-102 re-entered on 23 Jul 1994, 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? →