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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

LO-A

Re-entered 11 Aug 1966

LO-A (NORAD 2394, COSPAR 1966-073A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Aug 1966, launched on 10 Aug 1966 on the Lunar Orbiter A mission. It was operated by LARCN as part of the LO programme. The spacecraft was built by BOKT on the Lunar Orbiter bus, with a mass of 380 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.

1966
launched
1966
re-entered
0
years on orbit
380
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched10 Aug 1966 · on the Lunar Orbiter A mission
Operational29 Oct 1966 · entered service
Retired29 Oct 1966 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Aug 1966 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2394
COSPAR1966-073A
TypeSatellite
OperatorLARCN
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBOKT
BusLunar Orbiter
Mass380 kg (261 kg dry)
ProgrammeLO
CategoryPLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude196 × 345,551 km
Inclination29.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to LO-A?

LO-A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Aug 1966, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1966. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did LO-A re-enter the atmosphere?

LO-A re-entered on 11 Aug 1966, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built LO-A?

LO-A was operated by LARCN and built by BOKT (US).

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