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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ATV 3

Re-entered 28 Mar 2012

ATV 3 (NORAD 38096, COSPAR 2012-010A) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Mar 2012, launched on 23 Mar 2012 on the ATV 3 mission. It was operated by ESA as part of the ATV programme. The spacecraft was built by EADSB on the ATV bus, with a mass of 19,714 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.

2012
launched
2012
re-entered
0
years on orbit
19,714
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Mar 2012 · on the ATV 3 mission
Operational3 Oct 2012 · entered service
Retired3 Oct 2012 · end of operational service
Re-entered28 Mar 2012 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID38096
COSPAR2012-010A
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerEADSB
BusATV
Mass19,714 kg (10,854 kg dry)
ProgrammeATV
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude270 × 287 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ATV 3?

ATV 3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Mar 2012, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2012. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did ATV 3 re-enter the atmosphere?

ATV 3 re-entered on 28 Mar 2012, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ATV 3?

ATV 3 was operated by ESA and built by EADSB (I-ESA).

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