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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-105

Re-entered 18 Mar 1995

OV-105 (NORAD 23500, COSPAR 1995-007A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Mar 1995, launched on 2 Mar 1995 on the OV-105 Spacelab mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-105 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 98,382 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
98,382
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Mar 1995 · on the OV-105 Spacelab mission
Operational18 Mar 1995 · entered service
Retired18 Mar 1995 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Mar 1995 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID23500
COSPAR1995-007A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass98,382 kg (88,000 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-105
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude343 × 359 km
Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-105?

OV-105 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Mar 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 OV-105 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-105 re-entered on 18 Mar 1995, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-105?

OV-105 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.