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SAMOS E-6 No. 3

Re-entered 25 Jul 1962

SAMOS E-6 No. 3 (NORAD 342, COSPAR 1962 A ZET 1) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jul 1962, launched on 18 Jul 1962. It was operated by SAFSP as part of the SAMOS E-6 programme. The spacecraft was built by GEVF on the Samos 201 bus, with a mass of 400 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.

1962
launched
1962
re-entered
0
years on orbit
400
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Jul 1962
Operational19 Jul 1962 · entered service
Retired19 Jul 1962 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Jul 1962 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID342
COSPAR1962 A ZET 1
TypeSatellite
OperatorSAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGEVF
BusSamos 201
Mass400 kg
ProgrammeSAMOS E-6
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude180 × 241 km
Inclination96.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SAMOS E-6 No. 3?

SAMOS E-6 No. 3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jul 1962, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1962. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SAMOS E-6 No. 3 re-enter the atmosphere?

SAMOS E-6 No. 3 re-entered on 25 Jul 1962, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SAMOS E-6 No. 3?

SAMOS E-6 No. 3 was operated by SAFSP and built by GEVF (US).

Launched together

E-6 RVRe-entered 1962
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.