Australis

Retired 1970

Australis (NORAD 4321, COSPAR 1970-008B) is a retired AU satellite, withdrawn from service around 10 Mar 1970, launched on 23 Jan 1970 on the Tiros M mission. It was operated by MELB as part of the Australis programme. The spacecraft was built by MELB on the Australis Oscar bus, with a mass of 18 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1970

launched

1970

retired

years on orbit

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Jan 1970 · on the Tiros M mission

Operational10 Mar 1970 · entered service

Retired10 Mar 1970 · end of operational service

StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)

Specifications

NORAD ID4321

COSPAR1970-008B

TypeSatellite

OperatorMELB

Country / StateAU

ManufacturerMELB

BusAustralis Oscar

Mass18 kg

ProgrammeAustralis

CategoryCOM

OrbitLEO (LEO/S)

Altitude1,434 × 1,478 km

Inclination102.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Australis?

Australis was retired from service around 10 Mar 1970 after launching in 1970. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.

Who operated and built Australis?

Australis was operated by MELB and built by MELB (AU).

Launched together

Tiros MNORAD 4320

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: Tiros M → What is space debris? →