OV-103

Re-entered 10 Mar 2001

OV-103 (NORAD 26718, COSPAR 2001-010A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Mar 2001, launched on 8 Mar 2001 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 104,420 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.

2001

launched

2001

re-entered

years on orbit

104,420

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Mar 2001 · on the OV-103 ISS mission

Operational21 Mar 2001 · entered service

Retired21 Mar 2001 · end of operational service

Re-entered10 Mar 2001 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID26718

COSPAR2001-010A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerBNAP

BusSTS OV

Mass104,420 kg (92,186 kg dry)

ProgrammeSTS

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude370 × 381 km

Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Mar 2001, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2001. 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 10 Mar 2001, 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).

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-103 ISS → What is space debris? →