OV-102

Re-entered 12 Mar 2002

OV-102 (NORAD 27388, COSPAR 2002-010A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Mar 2002, launched on 1 Mar 2002 on the OV-102 HST mission 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.

2002

launched

2002

re-entered

years on orbit

104,420

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched1 Mar 2002 · on the OV-102 HST mission mission

Operational12 Mar 2002 · entered service

Retired12 Mar 2002 · end of operational service

Re-entered12 Mar 2002 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID27388

COSPAR2002-010A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerBNAP

BusSTS OV

Mass104,420 kg (92,186 kg dry)

ProgrammeSTS

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude215 × 574 km

Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-102?

OV-102 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Mar 2002, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2002. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did OV-102 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-102 re-entered on 12 Mar 2002, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-102?

OV-102 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-102 HST mission → What is space debris? →