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WRESAT

Re-entered 10 Jan 1968

WRESAT (NORAD 3054, COSPAR 1967-118A) was a AU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Jan 1968, launched on 29 Nov 1967 on the WRESAT mission. It was operated by WRE as part of the WRESAT programme. The spacecraft was built by WRE on the WRESAT bus, with a mass of 45 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
1968
re-entered
1
year on orbit
45
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 Nov 1967 · on the WRESAT mission
Operational4 Dec 1967 · entered service
Retired4 Dec 1967 · end of operational service
Re-entered10 Jan 1968 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3054
COSPAR1967-118A
TypeSatellite
OperatorWRE
Country / StateAU
ManufacturerWRE
BusWRESAT
Mass45 kg
ProgrammeWRESAT
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude173 × 1,119 km
Inclination83.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to WRESAT?

WRESAT re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Jan 1968, 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 WRESAT re-enter the atmosphere?

WRESAT re-entered on 10 Jan 1968, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built WRESAT?

WRESAT was operated by WRE and built by WRE (AU).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.
Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: WRESAT → What is space debris? →