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DS-A1 No. 1

Re-entered 18 May 1964

DS-A1 No. 1 (NORAD 441, COSPAR 1962 B THE 1) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 May 1964, launched on 20 Oct 1962. It was operated by OKB586 as part of the DS-A1 programme. The spacecraft was built by OKB586 on the DS bus, with a mass of 220 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.

1962
launched
1964
re-entered
2
years on orbit
220
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Oct 1962
Operational28 Oct 1962 · entered service
Retired28 Oct 1962 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 May 1964 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID441
COSPAR1962 B THE 1
TypeSatellite
OperatorOKB586
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerOKB586
BusDS
Mass220 kg
ProgrammeDS-A1
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude249 × 864 km
Inclination49.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DS-A1 No. 1?

DS-A1 No. 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 May 1964, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1962. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did DS-A1 No. 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

DS-A1 No. 1 re-entered on 18 May 1964, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DS-A1 No. 1?

DS-A1 No. 1 was operated by OKB586 and built by OKB586 (SU).

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