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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Surveyor SC-3

Re-entered 17 Apr 1967

Surveyor SC-3 (NORAD 2756, COSPAR 1967-035A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Apr 1967, launched on 17 Apr 1967 on the Surveyor SC-3 mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Surveyor A-21 programme. The spacecraft was built by JPL on the Surveyor bus, with a mass of 376 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
1967
re-entered
0
years on orbit
376
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Apr 1967 · on the Surveyor SC-3 mission
Operational4 May 1967 · entered service
Retired4 May 1967 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Apr 1967 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2756
COSPAR1967-035A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerJPL
BusSurveyor
Mass376 kg (302 kg dry)
ProgrammeSurveyor A-21
CategoryPLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude167 × 492,121 km
Inclination29.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Surveyor SC-3?

Surveyor SC-3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Apr 1967, 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 Surveyor SC-3 re-enter the atmosphere?

Surveyor SC-3 re-entered on 17 Apr 1967, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Surveyor SC-3?

Surveyor SC-3 was operated by JPL and built by JPL (US).

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