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INTELSAT III F-5

Re-entered 14 Oct 1988

INTELSAT III F-5 (NORAD 4051, COSPAR 1969-064A) was a I-INT satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Oct 1988, launched on 26 Jul 1969 on the INTELSAT III F-5 mission. It was operated by INTEL as part of the Int3 programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the INTELSAT 3 bus, with a mass of 135 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
1988
re-entered
19
years on orbit
135
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Jul 1969 · on the INTELSAT III F-5 mission
Operational26 Jul 1969 · entered service
Retired26 Jul 1969 · end of operational service
Re-entered14 Oct 1988 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4051
COSPAR1969-064A
TypeSatellite
OperatorINTEL
Country / StateI-INT
ManufacturerTRW
BusINTELSAT 3
Mass135 kg (113 kg dry)
ProgrammeInt3
CategoryCOM
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude271 × 5,391 km
Inclination30.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to INTELSAT III F-5?

INTELSAT III F-5 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Oct 1988, 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 INTELSAT III F-5 re-enter the atmosphere?

INTELSAT III F-5 re-entered on 14 Oct 1988, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built INTELSAT III F-5?

INTELSAT III F-5 was operated by INTEL and built by TRW (I-INT).

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