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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SPTN-204

Re-entered 4 Feb 1995

SPTN-204 (NORAD 23470, COSPAR 1995-004B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Feb 1995, launched on 3 Feb 1995 on the OV-103 Shuttle/Mir mission. It was operated by NRL as part of the Spartan programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC on the SPTN-200 bus, with a mass of 1,166 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.

1995
launched
1995
re-entered
0
years on orbit
1,166
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Feb 1995 · on the OV-103 Shuttle/Mir mission
Operational9 Feb 1995 · entered service
Retired9 Feb 1995 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Feb 1995 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID23470
COSPAR1995-004B
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC
BusSPTN-200
Mass1,166 kg
ProgrammeSpartan
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude388 × 388 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SPTN-204?

SPTN-204 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Feb 1995, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1995. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SPTN-204 re-enter the atmosphere?

SPTN-204 re-entered on 4 Feb 1995, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SPTN-204?

SPTN-204 was operated by NRL and built by GSFC (US).

Launched together

OV-103Re-entered 1995ODERACS 6 inch sphereRe-entered 1996ODERACS 4 inch sphereRe-entered 1995ODERACS 2 inch sphereRe-entered 1996
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.
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