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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ERS 28

Re-entered 15 Feb 1971

ERS 28 (NORAD 3429, COSPAR 1968-081B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Feb 1971, launched on 26 Sep 1968 on the OV2-5 mission. It was operated by SAMSO as part of the ORS III programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the ORS bus, with a mass of 10 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
1971
re-entered
3
years on orbit
10
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Sep 1968 · on the OV2-5 mission
Operational1 Jan 1969 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1969 · end of operational service
Re-entered15 Feb 1971 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3429
COSPAR1968-081B
TypeSatellite
OperatorSAMSO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusORS
Mass10 kg
ProgrammeORS III
CategorySCI
OrbitHEO (GTO)
Altitude174 × 34,315 km
Inclination26.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ERS 28?

ERS 28 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Feb 1971, 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 ERS 28 re-enter the atmosphere?

ERS 28 re-entered on 15 Feb 1971, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ERS 28?

ERS 28 was operated by SAMSO and built by TRW (US).

Launched together

OV2-5NORAD 3428ERS 21NORAD 3430LES 6NORAD 3431
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.