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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Vela 4A

Re-entered 1 Jan 1970

Vela 4A (NORAD 2765, COSPAR 1967-040A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 1970, launched on 28 Apr 1967 on the Vela 4A mission. It was operated by AFSSD as part of the Vela programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the Vela bus, with a mass of 221 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
1970
re-entered
3
years on orbit
221
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Apr 1967 · on the Vela 4A mission
Operational1 Jul 1972 · entered service
Retired1 Jul 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered1 Jan 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2765
COSPAR1967-040A
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFSSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusVela
Mass221 kg
ProgrammeVela
CategoryEW
Orbit (VHEO)
Altitude9,194 × 110,534 km
Inclination34.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Vela 4A?

Vela 4A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 1970, 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 Vela 4A re-enter the atmosphere?

Vela 4A re-entered on 1 Jan 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Vela 4A?

Vela 4A was operated by AFSSD and built by TRW (US).

Launched together

Vela 4BRe-entered 1970ERS 18NORAD 2767ERS 20NORAD 2768ERS 27NORAD 2769
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.