OV-102

Re-entered 28 Jul 1999

OV-102 (NORAD 25866, COSPAR 1999-040A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Jul 1999, launched on 23 Jul 1999 on the OV-102 IUS deploy mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the OV-102 programme. The spacecraft was built by BNAP on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 95,205 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

years on orbit

95,205

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Jul 1999 · on the OV-102 IUS deploy mission

Operational28 Jul 1999 · entered service

Retired28 Jul 1999 · end of operational service

Re-entered28 Jul 1999 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25866

COSPAR1999-040A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerBNAP

BusSTS OV

Mass95,205 kg (89,293 kg dry)

ProgrammeOV-102

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude272 × 297 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-102?

OV-102 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Jul 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-102 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-102 re-entered on 28 Jul 1999, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-102?

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

Launched together

AXAFNORAD 25867

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 IUS deploy → What is space debris? →