Mars Global Surveyor

Re-entered 8 Nov 1996

Mars Global Surveyor (NORAD 24648, COSPAR 1996-062A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Nov 1996, launched on 7 Nov 1996 on the MGS mission. It is catalogued as MGS. It was operated by JPL as part of the Mars Surveyor programme. The spacecraft was built by LMA on the MGS bus, with a mass of 1,062 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

1,062

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Nov 1996 · on the MGS mission

Operational2 Nov 2006 · entered service

Retired2 Nov 2006 · end of operational service

Re-entered8 Nov 1996 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID24648

COSPAR1996-062A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJPL

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMA

BusMGS

Mass1,062 kg (674 kg dry)

ProgrammeMars Surveyor

CategoryPLAN

OrbitHEO (EEO)

Altitude184 × -97,283 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Mars Global Surveyor?

Mars Global Surveyor re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Nov 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 Mars Global Surveyor re-enter the atmosphere?

Mars Global Surveyor re-entered on 8 Nov 1996, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Mars Global Surveyor?

Mars Global Surveyor was operated by JPL and built by LMA (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-10-21.

Browse the live satellite directory → The Orbital Register → Launch record: MGS → What is space debris? →