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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

UK 3

Re-entered 14 Dec 1970

UK 3 (NORAD 2773, COSPAR 1967-042A) was a UK satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Dec 1970, launched on 5 May 1967 on the UK-3 mission. It was operated by SRC as part of the UK programme. The spacecraft was built by RAE/BAC on the UK-E bus, with a mass of 90 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
90
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 May 1967 · on the UK-3 mission
Operational1 Sep 1969 · entered service
Retired1 Sep 1969 · end of operational service
Re-entered14 Dec 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2773
COSPAR1967-042A
TypeSatellite
OperatorSRC
Country / StateUK
ManufacturerRAE/BAC
BusUK-E
Mass90 kg
ProgrammeUK
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude496 × 600 km
Inclination80.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to UK 3?

UK 3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Dec 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 UK 3 re-enter the atmosphere?

UK 3 re-entered on 14 Dec 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built UK 3?

UK 3 was operated by SRC and built by RAE/BAC (UK).

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