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SAMOS E-5 No. 3

Re-entered 7 Jun 1963

SAMOS E-5 No. 3 (NORAD 256, COSPAR 1962 ETA 1) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Jun 1963, launched on 7 Mar 1962. It was operated by SAFSP as part of the SAMOS E-5 programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC on the E-5 RV bus, with a mass of 600 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.

1962
launched
1963
re-entered
1
year on orbit
600
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Mar 1962
Operational9 Mar 1962 · entered service
Retired9 Mar 1962 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Jun 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID256
COSPAR1962 ETA 1
TypeSatellite
OperatorSAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusE-5 RV
Mass600 kg
ProgrammeSAMOS E-5
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/P)
Altitude241 × 655 km
Inclination90.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SAMOS E-5 No. 3?

SAMOS E-5 No. 3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Jun 1963, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1962. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SAMOS E-5 No. 3 re-enter the atmosphere?

SAMOS E-5 No. 3 re-entered on 7 Jun 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SAMOS E-5 No. 3?

SAMOS E-5 No. 3 was operated by SAFSP and built by LMSC (US).

Launched together

AFTRACK 21 (S.T. LOW)Re-entered 1962
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.