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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Able VI?

Re-entered 11 Mar 1960

Able VI? (NORAD 27, COSPAR 1960 ALP 1) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Mar 1960, launched on 11 Mar 1960. It was operated by NASA / TRW as part of the Able programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the Able Probe bus, with a mass of 43 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.

1960
launched
1960
re-entered
0
years on orbit
43
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched11 Mar 1960
Operational23 Jun 1960 · entered service
Retired23 Jun 1960 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Mar 1960 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID27
COSPAR1960 ALP 1
TypeSatellite
OperatorNASA / TRW
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusAble Probe
Mass43 kg
ProgrammeAble
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude-455 × -142,121 km
Inclination24.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Able VI??

Able VI? re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Mar 1960, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1960. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Able VI? re-enter the atmosphere?

Able VI? re-entered on 11 Mar 1960, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Able VI??

Able VI? was operated by NASA / TRW and built by TRW (US).

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