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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OV-103

Re-entered 31 Aug 2009

OV-103 (NORAD 35811, COSPAR 2009-045A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Aug 2009, launched on 29 Aug 2009 on the OV-103 ISS mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the STS programme. The spacecraft was built by BNAP on the STS OV bus, with a mass of 97,418 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.

2009
launched
2009
re-entered
0
years on orbit
97,418
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 Aug 2009 · on the OV-103 ISS mission
Operational12 Sep 2009 · entered service
Retired12 Sep 2009 · end of operational service
Re-entered31 Aug 2009 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID35811
COSPAR2009-045A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBNAP
BusSTS OV
Mass97,418 kg (88,328 kg dry)
ProgrammeSTS
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude219 × 264 km
Inclination51.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV-103?

OV-103 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Aug 2009, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2009. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did OV-103 re-enter the atmosphere?

OV-103 re-entered on 31 Aug 2009, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV-103?

OV-103 was operated by JSC and built by BNAP (US).

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