Inflatable Antenna Expt.

Re-entered 22 May 1996

Inflatable Antenna Expt. (NORAD 23872, COSPAR 1996-032C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 May 1996, launched on 19 May 1996 on the OV-105 Research/FF mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the IAE programme. The spacecraft was built by JPL/LGAR on the IAE bus, with a mass of 460 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

years on orbit

460

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 May 1996 · on the OV-105 Research/FF mission

Operational20 May 1996 · entered service

Retired20 May 1996 · end of operational service

Re-entered22 May 1996 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID23872

COSPAR1996-032C

TypeSatellite

OperatorJPL

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerJPL/LGAR

BusIAE

Mass460 kg

ProgrammeIAE

CategoryTECH

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude277 × 295 km

Inclination39.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Inflatable Antenna Expt.?

Inflatable Antenna Expt. re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 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 Inflatable Antenna Expt. re-enter the atmosphere?

Inflatable Antenna Expt. re-entered on 22 May 1996, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Inflatable Antenna Expt.?

Inflatable Antenna Expt. was operated by JPL and built by JPL/LGAR (US).

Launched together

OV-105Re-entered 1996 SPTN-207-IAERe-entered 1996 PAMS 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? →