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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Transit 1B

Re-entered 5 Oct 1967

Transit 1B (NORAD 31, COSPAR 1960 GAM 2) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Oct 1967, launched on 13 Apr 1960. It was operated by ARPA / BUWEPS as part of the Transit programme. The spacecraft was built by APL on the Transit 1 bus, with a mass of 121 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.

1960
launched
1967
re-entered
7
years on orbit
121
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Apr 1960
Operational12 Jul 1960 · entered service
Retired12 Jul 1960 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Oct 1967 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID31
COSPAR1960 GAM 2
TypeSatellite
OperatorARPA / BUWEPS
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAPL
BusTransit 1
Mass121 kg
ProgrammeTransit
CategoryNAV
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude373 × 737 km
Inclination51.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Transit 1B?

Transit 1B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Oct 1967, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1960. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Transit 1B re-enter the atmosphere?

Transit 1B re-entered on 5 Oct 1967, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Transit 1B?

Transit 1B was operated by ARPA / BUWEPS and built by APL (US).

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