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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Surveyor SC-2

Re-entered 22 Sep 1966

Surveyor SC-2 (NORAD 2425, COSPAR 1966-084A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Sep 1966, launched on 20 Sep 1966 on the Surveyor SC-2 mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Surveyor A-21 programme. The spacecraft was built by JPL on the Surveyor bus, with a mass of 366 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
366
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Sep 1966 · on the Surveyor SC-2 mission
Operational22 Sep 1966 · entered service
Retired22 Sep 1966 · end of operational service
Re-entered22 Sep 1966 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2425
COSPAR1966-084A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerJPL
BusSurveyor
Mass366 kg (292 kg dry)
ProgrammeSurveyor A-21
CategoryPLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude165 × 791,708 km
Inclination33.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Surveyor SC-2?

Surveyor SC-2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Sep 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 Surveyor SC-2 re-enter the atmosphere?

Surveyor SC-2 re-entered on 22 Sep 1966, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Surveyor SC-2?

Surveyor SC-2 was operated by JPL and built by JPL (US).

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