🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
POPPY 5 Alfa
Retired 1971POPPY 5 Alfa (NORAD 2873, COSPAR 1967-053G) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1971, launched on 31 May 1967 on the NRL PL160 mission. It was operated by NRO / NRL as part of the POPPY programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the NRL 24" bus, with a mass of 52 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1967
launched
1971
retired
59
years on orbit
52
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched31 May 1967 · on the NRL PL160 mission
Operational1 Jan 1971 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1971 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID2873
COSPAR1967-053G
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / NRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusNRL 24"
Mass52 kg
ProgrammePOPPY
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude913 × 927 km
Inclination70.0°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to POPPY 5 Alfa?
POPPY 5 Alfa was retired from service around 1 Jan 1971 after launching in 1967. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built POPPY 5 Alfa?
POPPY 5 Alfa was operated by NRO / NRL and built by NRL (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.