STRAWMAN 1

Re-entered 26 Mar 1971

STRAWMAN 1 (NORAD 3472, COSPAR 1968-086A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Mar 1971, launched on 5 Oct 1968 on the STRAWMAN 1 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the STRAWMAN programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC/CHAIL on the STRAWMAN bus, with a mass of 975 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

years on orbit

975

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Oct 1968 · on the STRAWMAN 1 mission

Operational27 Sep 1969 · entered service

Retired27 Sep 1969 · end of operational service

Re-entered26 Mar 1971 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3472

COSPAR1968-086A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / SAFSP

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSC/CHAIL

BusSTRAWMAN

Mass975 kg

ProgrammeSTRAWMAN

CategorySIG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude481 × 506 km

Inclination75.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to STRAWMAN 1?

STRAWMAN 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Mar 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 STRAWMAN 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

STRAWMAN 1 re-entered on 26 Mar 1971, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built STRAWMAN 1?

STRAWMAN 1 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by LMSC/CHAIL (US).

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: STRAWMAN 1 → What is space debris? →