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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

GAMBIT SV 980

Re-entered 20 Jul 1966

GAMBIT SV 980 (NORAD 2322, COSPAR 1966-062A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Jul 1966, launched on 12 Jul 1966 on the GAMBIT SV 980 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the AFP-206 programme. The spacecraft was built by GEVF on the AFP-206 OCV bus, with a mass of 2,000 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
2,000
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Jul 1966 · on the GAMBIT SV 980 mission
Operational19 Jul 1966 · entered service
Retired19 Jul 1966 · end of operational service
Re-entered20 Jul 1966 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2322
COSPAR1966-062A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGEVF
BusAFP-206 OCV
Mass2,000 kg
ProgrammeAFP-206
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude140 × 265 km
Inclination95.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to GAMBIT SV 980?

GAMBIT SV 980 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 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 GAMBIT SV 980 re-enter the atmosphere?

GAMBIT SV 980 re-entered on 20 Jul 1966, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built GAMBIT SV 980?

GAMBIT SV 980 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by GEVF (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.