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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-102

Re-entered 7 Dec 1996

OV-102 (NORAD 24660, COSPAR 1996-065A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Dec 1996, launched on 19 Nov 1996 on the OV-102 Research/FF mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-102 programme. The spacecraft was built by RWI on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 99,716 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
99,716
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 Nov 1996 · on the OV-102 Research/FF mission
Operational7 Dec 1996 · entered service
Retired7 Dec 1996 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Dec 1996 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID24660
COSPAR1996-065A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWI
BusSTS OV
Mass99,716 kg (90,167 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-102
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude346 × 358 km
Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-102?

OV-102 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Dec 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-102 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-102 re-entered on 7 Dec 1996, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-102?

OV-102 was operated by JSC and built by RWI (US).

Launched together

ASTRO-SPASRe-entered 1996WSFRe-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-102 Research/FF → What is space debris? →