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PAMS STU

Re-entered 26 Oct 1996

PAMS STU (NORAD 23876, COSPAR 1996-032D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Oct 1996, launched on 19 May 1996 on the OV-105 Research/FF mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the PAMS programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC? on the STU bus, with a mass of 49 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
49
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 May 1996 · on the OV-105 Research/FF mission
Operational27 May 1996 · entered service
Retired27 May 1996 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Oct 1996 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID23876
COSPAR1996-032D
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC?
BusSTU
Mass49 kg
ProgrammePAMS
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude274 × 281 km
Inclination39.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to PAMS STU?

PAMS STU re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Oct 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 PAMS STU re-enter the atmosphere?

PAMS STU re-entered on 26 Oct 1996, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built PAMS STU?

PAMS STU was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC? (US).

Launched together

OV-105Re-entered 1996SPTN-207-IAERe-entered 1996Inflatable Antenna Expt.Re-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? →