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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

RM

Re-entered 7 Feb 1971

RM (NORAD 4692, COSPAR 1970-094B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Feb 1971, launched on 9 Nov 1970 on the OFO mission. It was operated by MSC as part of the NASA Small programme. The spacecraft was built by LTV on the RM bus, with a mass of 21 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
1971
re-entered
1
year on orbit
21
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Nov 1970 · on the OFO mission
Operational7 Feb 1971 · entered service
Retired7 Feb 1971 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Feb 1971 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4692
COSPAR1970-094B
TypeSatellite
OperatorMSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLTV
BusRM
Mass21 kg
ProgrammeNASA Small
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude289 × 475 km
Inclination37.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to RM?

RM re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Feb 1971, 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 RM re-enter the atmosphere?

RM re-entered on 7 Feb 1971, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built RM?

RM was operated by MSC and built by LTV (US).

Launched together

Orbiting Frog Otolith 1Re-entered 1971
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-19.