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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Bios A Adapter

Re-entered 10 Jan 1967

Bios A Adapter (NORAD 2631, COSPAR 1966-114C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Jan 1967, launched on 14 Dec 1966 on the Biosatellite A Adapter mission. It was operated by ARC as part of the Biosatellite programme. The spacecraft was built by GERSD on the Biosatellite bus, with a mass of 241 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.

1966
launched
1967
re-entered
1
year on orbit
241
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Dec 1966 · on the Biosatellite A Adapter mission
Operational17 Dec 1966 · entered service
Retired17 Dec 1966 · end of operational service
Re-entered10 Jan 1967 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2631
COSPAR1966-114C
TypeSatellite
OperatorARC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGERSD
BusBiosatellite
Mass241 kg
ProgrammeBiosatellite
CategoryBIO
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude281 × 299 km
Inclination33.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Bios A Adapter?

Bios A Adapter re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Jan 1967, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1966. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Bios A Adapter re-enter the atmosphere?

Bios A Adapter re-entered on 10 Jan 1967, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Bios A Adapter?

Bios A Adapter was operated by ARC and built by GERSD (US).

Launched together

Bios A SRVRe-entered 1967
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.