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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ESRO 1A

Re-entered 26 Jun 1970

ESRO 1A (NORAD 3459, COSPAR 1968-084A) was a I-ESRO satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Jun 1970, launched on 3 Oct 1968 on the ESRO 1A mission. It was operated by ESRO as part of the ESRO programme. The spacecraft was built by LCT on the ESRO 1 bus, with a mass of 85 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
1970
re-entered
2
years on orbit
85
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Oct 1968 · on the ESRO 1A mission
Operational26 Jun 1970 · entered service
Retired26 Jun 1970 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Jun 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3459
COSPAR1968-084A
TypeSatellite
OperatorESRO
Country / StateI-ESRO
ManufacturerLCT
BusESRO 1
Mass85 kg
ProgrammeESRO
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude258 × 1,490 km
Inclination93.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ESRO 1A?

ESRO 1A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Jun 1970, 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 ESRO 1A re-enter the atmosphere?

ESRO 1A re-entered on 26 Jun 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ESRO 1A?

ESRO 1A was operated by ESRO and built by LCT (I-ESRO).

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