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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-103

Re-entered 7 Nov 1998

OV-103 (NORAD 25519, COSPAR 1998-064A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Nov 1998, launched on 29 Oct 1998 on the OV-103 Research/FF mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-103 programme. The spacecraft was built by BNAP on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 97,087 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.

1998
launched
1998
re-entered
0
years on orbit
97,087
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 Oct 1998 · on the OV-103 Research/FF mission
Operational7 Nov 1998 · entered service
Retired7 Nov 1998 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Nov 1998 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25519
COSPAR1998-064A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBNAP
BusSTS OV
Mass97,087 kg (88,284 kg dry)
ProgrammeOV-103
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude550 × 560 km
Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Nov 1998, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1998. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did OV-103 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-103 re-entered on 7 Nov 1998, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-103?

OV-103 was operated by JSC and built by BNAP (US).

Launched together

PANSATNORAD 25520SPTN-201Re-entered 1998
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-103 Research/FF → What is space debris? →