OV-102

Re-entered 1 Feb 2003

OV-102 (NORAD 27647, COSPAR 2003-003A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Feb 2003, launched on 16 Jan 2003 on the OV-102 Research 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 99,240 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.

2003

launched

2003

re-entered

years on orbit

99,240

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Jan 2003 · on the OV-102 Research mission

Operational1 Feb 2003 · entered service

Retired1 Feb 2003 · end of operational service

Re-entered1 Feb 2003 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID27647

COSPAR2003-003A

TypeSatellite

OperatorJSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerBNAP

BusSTS OV

Mass99,240 kg (93,516 kg dry)

ProgrammeSTS

CategorySS

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude270 × 282 km

Inclination39.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-102?

OV-102 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Feb 2003, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2003. 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 1 Feb 2003, 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 Research → What is space debris? →