HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesOV-104
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-104

Re-entered 24 Mar 1996

OV-104 (NORAD 23831, COSPAR 1996-018A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Mar 1996, launched on 22 Mar 1996 on the OV-104 Shuttle/Mir 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 99,867 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.

1996
launched
1996
re-entered
0
years on orbit
99,867
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Mar 1996 · on the OV-104 Shuttle/Mir mission
Operational31 Mar 1996 · entered service
Retired31 Mar 1996 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 Mar 1996 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID23831
COSPAR1996-018A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass99,867 kg (89,497 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-104
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude389 × 395 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-104?

OV-104 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Mar 1996, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1996. 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 24 Mar 1996, 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).

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