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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OGO F

Re-entered 12 Oct 1979

OGO F (NORAD 3986, COSPAR 1969-051A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Oct 1979, launched on 5 Jun 1969 on the OGO F mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the POGO programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the OGO bus, with a mass of 620 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
1979
re-entered
10
years on orbit
620
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Jun 1969 · on the OGO F mission
Operational14 Jul 1972 · entered service
Retired14 Jul 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Oct 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3986
COSPAR1969-051A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusOGO
Mass620 kg
ProgrammePOGO
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude396 × 1,085 km
Inclination82.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OGO F?

OGO F re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Oct 1979, 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 OGO F re-enter the atmosphere?

OGO F re-entered on 12 Oct 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OGO F?

OGO F was operated by GSFC and built by TRW (US).

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