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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

NASA A-11

Re-entered 24 May 1968

NASA A-11 (NORAD 49, COSPAR 1960 IOT 1) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 May 1968, launched on 12 Aug 1960. It was operated by LARCN as part of the Echo programme. The spacecraft was built by SCHJ on the Echo 100' bus, with a mass of 75 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.

1960
launched
1968
re-entered
8
years on orbit
75
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Aug 1960
Operational1 Jan 1960 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1960 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 May 1968 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID49
COSPAR1960 IOT 1
TypeSatellite
OperatorLARCN
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSCHJ
BusEcho 100'
Mass75 kg (60 kg dry)
ProgrammeEcho
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude1,517 × 1,684 km
Inclination47.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to NASA A-11?

NASA A-11 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 May 1968, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1960. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did NASA A-11 re-enter the atmosphere?

NASA A-11 re-entered on 24 May 1968, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built NASA A-11?

NASA A-11 was operated by LARCN and built by SCHJ (US).

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