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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ORS-3

Re-entered 25 Dec 2015

ORS-3 (NORAD 39409, COSPAR 2013-064AF) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Dec 2015, launched on 20 Nov 2013 on the ORS-3 mission. It was operated by AFORS as part of the ORS programme. The spacecraft was built by AFORS, with a mass of 50 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.

2013
launched
2015
re-entered
2
years on orbit
50
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Nov 2013 · on the ORS-3 mission
Operational21 Nov 2013 · entered service
Retired21 Nov 2013 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Dec 2015 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID39409
COSPAR2013-064AF
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFORS
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAFORS
Mass50 kg
ProgrammeORS
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude499 × 507 km
Inclination40.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ORS-3?

ORS-3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Dec 2015, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2013. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did ORS-3 re-enter the atmosphere?

ORS-3 re-entered on 25 Dec 2015, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ORS-3?

ORS-3 was operated by AFORS and built by AFORS (US).

Launched together

STP-SIV 2Re-entered 2023NSF FireflyRe-entered 2017ChargerSat 1.2Re-entered 2015Prometheus 1Re-entered 2015Lunar O/LRe-entered 2015Prometheus 3Re-entered 2015PhoneSat 2.4Re-entered 2017CAPE 2Re-entered 2014
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: ORS-3 → What is space debris? →