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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SPTN-207-IAE

Re-entered 20 May 1996

SPTN-207-IAE (NORAD 23871, COSPAR 1996-032B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 May 1996, launched on 19 May 1996 on the OV-105 Research/FF mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Spartan programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC on the SPTN-200 bus, with a mass of 846 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
846
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 May 1996 · on the OV-105 Research/FF mission
Operational21 May 1996 · entered service
Retired21 May 1996 · end of operational service
Re-entered20 May 1996 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID23871
COSPAR1996-032B
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC
BusSPTN-200
Mass846 kg
ProgrammeSpartan
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude281 × 294 km
Inclination39.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SPTN-207-IAE?

SPTN-207-IAE re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 May 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 SPTN-207-IAE re-enter the atmosphere?

SPTN-207-IAE re-entered on 20 May 1996, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SPTN-207-IAE?

SPTN-207-IAE was operated by JPL and built by GSFC (US).

Launched together

OV-105Re-entered 1996Inflatable Antenna Expt.Re-entered 1996PAMS STURe-entered 1996
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-105 Research/FF → What is space debris? →