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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ATS D

Re-entered 17 Oct 1968

ATS D (NORAD 3344, COSPAR 1968-068A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Oct 1968, launched on 10 Aug 1968 on the ATS D mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the ATS programme. The spacecraft was built by HSES on the HS-306 bus, with a mass of 367 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
367
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched10 Aug 1968 · on the ATS D mission
Operational17 Oct 1968 · entered service
Retired17 Oct 1968 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Oct 1968 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3344
COSPAR1968-068A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerHSES
BusHS-306
Mass367 kg
ProgrammeATS
CategoryCOM/TECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude212 × 659 km
Inclination29.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ATS D?

ATS D re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Oct 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 ATS D re-enter the atmosphere?

ATS D re-entered on 17 Oct 1968, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ATS D?

ATS D was operated by GSFC and built by HSES (US).

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