SAMOS E-6 No. 1

Re-entered 28 Apr 1962

SAMOS E-6 No. 1 (NORAD 286, COSPAR 1962 PI) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Apr 1962, launched on 26 Apr 1962. It was operated by SAFSP as part of the SAMOS E-6 programme. The spacecraft was built by GEVF on the Samos 201 bus, with a mass of 400 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.

1962

launched

1962

re-entered

years on orbit

400

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Apr 1962

Operational28 Apr 1962 · entered service

Retired28 Apr 1962 · end of operational service

Re-entered28 Apr 1962 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID286

COSPAR1962 PI

TypeSatellite

OperatorSAFSP

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerGEVF

BusSamos 201

Mass400 kg

ProgrammeSAMOS E-6

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/P)

Altitude209 × 219 km

Inclination92.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SAMOS E-6 No. 1?

SAMOS E-6 No. 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Apr 1962, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1962. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SAMOS E-6 No. 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

SAMOS E-6 No. 1 re-entered on 28 Apr 1962, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SAMOS E-6 No. 1?

SAMOS E-6 No. 1 was operated by SAFSP and built by GEVF (US).

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

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