HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesOV-103
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-103

Re-entered 29 May 1999

OV-103 (NORAD 25760, COSPAR 1999-030A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 May 1999, launched on 27 May 1999 on the OV-103 ISS mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the STS programme. The spacecraft was built by BNAP on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 102,163 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.

1999
launched
1999
re-entered
0
years on orbit
102,163
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched27 May 1999 · on the OV-103 ISS mission
Operational6 Jun 1999 · entered service
Retired6 Jun 1999 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 May 1999 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25760
COSPAR1999-030A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBNAP
BusSTS OV
Mass102,163 kg (89,903 kg dry)
ProgrammeSTS
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude380 × 385 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 May 1999, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1999. 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 29 May 1999, 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

StarshineRe-entered 2000
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.