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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-104

Re-entered 19 Sep 1996

OV-104 (NORAD 24324, COSPAR 1996-057A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Sep 1996, launched on 16 Sep 1996 on the OV-104 Shuttle/Mir mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-104 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 100,232 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
100,232
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Sep 1996 · on the OV-104 Shuttle/Mir mission
Operational25 Sep 1996 · entered service
Retired26 Sep 1996 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Sep 1996 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID24324
COSPAR1996-057A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass100,232 kg (89,820 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-104
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude251 × 298 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-104?

OV-104 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Sep 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 OV-104 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-104 re-entered on 19 Sep 1996, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-104?

OV-104 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

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