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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Cannonball

Re-entered 19 Aug 1968

Cannonball (NORAD 3319, COSPAR 1968-059B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Aug 1968, launched on 11 Jul 1968 on the OV1-15S mission. It was operated by OAR as part of the OV1 A programme. The spacecraft was built by AFCRL on the LOADS bus, with a mass of 273 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.

1968
launched
1968
re-entered
0
years on orbit
273
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched11 Jul 1968 · on the OV1-15S mission
Operational19 Aug 1968 · entered service
Retired19 Aug 1968 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Aug 1968 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3319
COSPAR1968-059B
TypeSatellite
OperatorOAR
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAFCRL
BusLOADS
Mass273 kg
ProgrammeOV1 A
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/P)
Altitude142 × 530 km
Inclination89.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Cannonball?

Cannonball re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Aug 1968, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1968. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Cannonball re-enter the atmosphere?

Cannonball re-entered on 19 Aug 1968, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Cannonball?

Cannonball was operated by OAR and built by AFCRL (US).

Launched together

OV1-15SRe-entered 1968
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.