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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SRV

Re-entered 11 Feb 1961

SRV (NORAD 26, COSPAR 1959 EPS 2) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Feb 1961, launched on 13 Aug 1959. It was operated by CIA as part of the SRV programme. The spacecraft was built by GEMSD on the SRV Mk IIA bus, with a mass of 123 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.

1959
launched
1961
re-entered
2
years on orbit
123
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Aug 1959
Operational14 Aug 1959 · entered service
Retired14 Aug 1959 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Feb 1961 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID26
COSPAR1959 EPS 2
TypeSatellite
OperatorCIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGEMSD
BusSRV Mk IIA
Mass123 kg
ProgrammeSRV
CategoryRV
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude194 × 1,531 km
Inclination78.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SRV?

SRV re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Feb 1961, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1959. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SRV re-enter the atmosphere?

SRV re-entered on 11 Feb 1961, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SRV?

SRV was operated by CIA and built by GEMSD (US).

Launched together

CORONA C-2Re-entered 1959
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.