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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Surveyor SC-6

Re-entered 9 Nov 1967

Surveyor SC-6 (NORAD 3031, COSPAR 1967-112A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Nov 1967, launched on 7 Nov 1967 on the Surveyor SC-6 mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Surveyor A-21A programme. The spacecraft was built by JPL on the Surveyor bus, with a mass of 369 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
1967
re-entered
0
years on orbit
369
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Nov 1967 · on the Surveyor SC-6 mission
Operational14 Dec 1967 · entered service
Retired14 Dec 1967 · end of operational service
Re-entered9 Nov 1967 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3031
COSPAR1967-112A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerJPL
BusSurveyor
Mass369 kg (289 kg dry)
ProgrammeSurveyor A-21A
CategoryPLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude169 × 686,276 km
Inclination29.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Surveyor SC-6?

Surveyor SC-6 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Nov 1967, 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 Surveyor SC-6 re-enter the atmosphere?

Surveyor SC-6 re-entered on 9 Nov 1967, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Surveyor SC-6?

Surveyor SC-6 was operated by JPL and built by JPL (US).

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