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OSO E1

Re-entered 4 Apr 1982

OSO E1 (NORAD 2703, COSPAR 1967-020A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Apr 1982, launched on 8 Mar 1967 on the OSO E1 mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the OSO programme. The spacecraft was built by BALL on the OSO bus, with a mass of 284 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.

1967
launched
1982
re-entered
15
years on orbit
284
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Mar 1967 · on the OSO E1 mission
Operational10 Nov 1969 · entered service
Retired10 Nov 1969 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Apr 1982 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2703
COSPAR1967-020A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBALL
BusOSO
Mass284 kg
ProgrammeOSO
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude537 × 565 km
Inclination32.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OSO E1?

OSO E1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Apr 1982, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1967. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did OSO E1 re-enter the atmosphere?

OSO E1 re-entered on 4 Apr 1982, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OSO E1?

OSO E1 was operated by GSFC and built by BALL (US).

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