Home›Library›Re-entered Satellites›SPTN-201
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SPTN-201

Re-entered 21 Nov 1997

SPTN-201 (NORAD 25062, COSPAR 1997-073B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Nov 1997, launched on 19 Nov 1997 on the OV-102 Research/FF mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the Spartan programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC on the SPTN-200 bus, with a mass of 1,350 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.

1997
launched
1997
re-entered
0
years on orbit
1,350
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 Nov 1997 · on the OV-102 Research/FF mission
Operational3 Dec 1997 · entered service
Retired3 Dec 1997 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 Nov 1997 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25062
COSPAR1997-073B
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC
BusSPTN-200
Mass1,350 kg
ProgrammeSpartan
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude277 × 283 km
Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SPTN-201?

SPTN-201 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Nov 1997, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1997. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SPTN-201 re-enter the atmosphere?

SPTN-201 re-entered on 21 Nov 1997, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SPTN-201?

SPTN-201 was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC (US).

Launched together

OV-102Re-entered 1997
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? →