HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesORION 3
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ORION 3

Historical record

ORION 3 (NORAD 23567, COSPAR 1995-022A) is a historical US catalogue entry no longer tracked in the live catalogue, launched on 14 May 1995 on the ORION 3 mission. It was operated by NROC / CIA as part of the ORION1 programme. The spacecraft was built by UNKUS on the Adv ORION bus, with a mass of 5,000 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1995
launched
31
years on orbit
5,000
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 May 1995 · on the ORION 3 mission

Specifications

NORAD ID23567
COSPAR1995-022A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNROC / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerUNKUS
BusAdv ORION
Mass5,000 kg (4,600 kg dry)
ProgrammeORION1
CategorySIG
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,750 × 35,800 km

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ORION 3?

ORION 3 is a historical catalogue entry from a 1995 launch. It is not currently tracked in the live catalogue — typically meaning it has decayed, been retired, or its tracking elements have lapsed.

Who operated and built ORION 3?

ORION 3 was operated by NROC / CIA and built by UNKUS (US).

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