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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

NRL PL150B

Re-entered 17 Oct 2025

NRL PL150B (NORAD 2909, COSPAR 1967-053J) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Oct 2025, launched on 31 May 1967 on the NRL PL160 mission. It was operated by NRL as part of the SURCAL programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the Surcal? bus, with a mass of 5 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
2025
re-entered
58
years on orbit
5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched31 May 1967 · on the NRL PL160 mission
Operational1 Jan 1968 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1968 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Oct 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID2909
COSPAR1967-053J
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusSurcal?
Mass5 kg
ProgrammeSURCAL
CategoryCAL?
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude914 × 926 km
Inclination70.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to NRL PL150B?

NRL PL150B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Oct 2025, 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 NRL PL150B re-enter the atmosphere?

NRL PL150B re-entered on 17 Oct 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built NRL PL150B?

NRL PL150B was operated by NRL and built by NRL (US).

Launched together

NRL PL160NORAD 2826POPPY 5 BravoNORAD 2828POPPY 5 DeltaNORAD 2834Timation 1NORAD 2847NRL PL159NORAD 2872POPPY 5 AlfaNORAD 2873POPPY 5 CharlieNORAD 2874
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.