STRAWMAN 3

Re-entered 26 Mar 1975

STRAWMAN 3 (NORAD 4503, COSPAR 1970-066A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Mar 1975, launched on 26 Aug 1970 on the STRAWMAN 3 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the STRAWMAN programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC/CHAIL on the STRAWMAN bus, with a mass of 975 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.

1970

launched

1975

re-entered

years on orbit

975

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Aug 1970 · on the STRAWMAN 3 mission

Operational8 Feb 1972 · entered service

Retired8 Feb 1972 · end of operational service

Re-entered26 Mar 1975 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4503

COSPAR1970-066A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / SAFSP

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSC/CHAIL

BusSTRAWMAN

Mass975 kg

ProgrammeSTRAWMAN

CategorySIG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude482 × 500 km

Inclination75.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to STRAWMAN 3?

STRAWMAN 3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Mar 1975, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1970. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did STRAWMAN 3 re-enter the atmosphere?

STRAWMAN 3 re-entered on 26 Mar 1975, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built STRAWMAN 3?

STRAWMAN 3 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by LMSC/CHAIL (US).

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: STRAWMAN 3 → What is space debris? →