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INTELSAT III F-3

Re-entered 18 Jul 2001

INTELSAT III F-3 (NORAD 3674, COSPAR 1969-011A) was a I-INT satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, launched on 6 Feb 1969 on the INTELSAT III F-3 mission. It was operated by INTEL as part of the Int3 programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the INTELSAT 3 bus, with a mass of 132 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.

1969
launched
2001
re-entered
32
years on orbit
132
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Feb 1969 · on the INTELSAT III F-3 mission
Operational14 Dec 1979 · entered service
Retired14 Dec 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Jul 2001 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3674
COSPAR1969-011A
TypeSatellite
OperatorINTEL
Country / StateI-INT
ManufacturerTRW
BusINTELSAT 3
Mass132 kg (116 kg dry)
ProgrammeInt3
CategoryCOM
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,779 × 35,808 km
Inclination1.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to INTELSAT III F-3?

INTELSAT III F-3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1969. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did INTELSAT III F-3 re-enter the atmosphere?

INTELSAT III F-3 re-entered on 18 Jul 2001, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built INTELSAT III F-3?

INTELSAT III F-3 was operated by INTEL and built by TRW (I-INT).

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