OV1-18S

Re-entered 28 Aug 1972

OV1-18S (NORAD 3824, COSPAR 1969-025B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Aug 1972, launched on 18 Mar 1969 on the OV1-17S mission. It was operated by OAR as part of the OV1 F programme. The spacecraft was built by GDC on the OV1 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

1972

re-entered

years on orbit

132

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Mar 1969 · on the OV1-17S mission

Operational1 Jan 1970 · entered service

Retired1 Jan 1970 · end of operational service

Re-entered28 Aug 1972 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3824

COSPAR1969-025B

TypeSatellite

OperatorOAR

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerGDC

BusOV1

Mass132 kg

ProgrammeOV1 F

CategorySCI

OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)

Altitude461 × 579 km

Inclination98.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV1-18S?

OV1-18S re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Aug 1972, 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 OV1-18S re-enter the atmosphere?

OV1-18S re-entered on 28 Aug 1972, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV1-18S?

OV1-18S was operated by OAR and built by GDC (US).

Launched together

OV1-17SRe-entered 1970 OV1-19SNORAD 3825 OV1-17PRe-entered 1969

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: OV1-17S → What is space debris? →