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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

NRL PL149A

Re-entered 14 Feb 2023

NRL PL149A (NORAD 4166, COSPAR 1969-082J) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Feb 2023, launched on 30 Sep 1969 on the P-11 No. 4407 mission. It was operated by NRL as part of the NRL Cal programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the SOICAL bus, with a mass of 3 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
2023
re-entered
54
years on orbit
3
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Sep 1969 · on the P-11 No. 4407 mission
Operational30 Sep 1969 · entered service
Retired30 Sep 1969 · end of operational service
Re-entered14 Feb 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4166
COSPAR1969-082J
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusSOICAL
Mass3 kg
ProgrammeNRL Cal
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude903 × 935 km
Inclination70.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to NRL PL149A?

NRL PL149A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Feb 2023, 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 NRL PL149A re-enter the atmosphere?

NRL PL149A re-entered on 14 Feb 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built NRL PL149A?

NRL PL149A was operated by NRL and built by NRL (US).

Launched together

P-11 No. 4407Re-entered 1970NRL PL176NORAD 4256Timation 2NORAD 4257POPPY 6 AlfaNORAD 4259POPPY 6 BravoNORAD 4237POPPY 6 CharlieNORAD 4247POPPY 6 DeltaNORAD 4295NRL PL157CNORAD 4168
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.