OV-104

Re-entered 14 Nov 1994

OV-104 (NORAD 23340, COSPAR 1994-073A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Nov 1994, launched on 3 Nov 1994 on the OV-104 Spacelab mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-104 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 96,898 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

96,898

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Nov 1994 · on the OV-104 Spacelab mission

Operational14 Nov 1994 · entered service

Retired14 Nov 1994 · end of operational service

Re-entered14 Nov 1994 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID23340

COSPAR1994-073A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRWI

BusSTS OV

Mass96,898 kg (87,516 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-104

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude294 × 311 km

Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-104?

OV-104 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Nov 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-104 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-104 re-entered on 14 Nov 1994, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-104?

OV-104 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

Launched together

CRISTA-SPASRe-entered 1994

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-104 Spacelab → What is space debris? →