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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Bios D Adapter

Re-entered 20 Jan 1970

Bios D Adapter (NORAD 4000, COSPAR 1969-056A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Jan 1970, launched on 29 Jun 1969 on the Biosatellite D Adapter mission. It was operated by ARC as part of the Biosatellite programme. The spacecraft was built by GERSD on the Bios bus, with a mass of 438 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
1970
re-entered
1
year on orbit
438
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 Jun 1969 · on the Biosatellite D Adapter mission
Operational6 Aug 1969 · entered service
Retired6 Aug 1969 · end of operational service
Re-entered20 Jan 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4000
COSPAR1969-056A
TypeSatellite
OperatorARC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGERSD
BusBios
Mass438 kg
ProgrammeBiosatellite
CategoryBIO
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude352 × 388 km
Inclination33.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Bios D Adapter?

Bios D Adapter re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Jan 1970, 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 Bios D Adapter re-enter the atmosphere?

Bios D Adapter re-entered on 20 Jan 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Bios D Adapter?

Bios D Adapter was operated by ARC and built by GERSD (US).

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