POPPY 1 Alfa

Re-entered 9 Feb 1967

POPPY 1 Alfa (NORAD 502, COSPAR 1962 B TAU 1) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Feb 1967, launched on 13 Dec 1962. It was operated by NRO / NRL as part of the POPPY programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the NRL 20" bus, with a mass of 25 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

1967

re-entered

years on orbit

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Dec 1962

Operational1 Dec 1965 · entered service

Retired1 Dec 1965 · end of operational service

Re-entered9 Feb 1967 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID502

COSPAR1962 B TAU 1

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / NRL

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerNRL

BusNRL 20"

Mass25 kg

ProgrammePOPPY

CategorySIG

OrbitLEO (LEO/I)

Altitude233 × 2,747 km

Inclination70.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to POPPY 1 Alfa?

POPPY 1 Alfa re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Feb 1967, 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 POPPY 1 Alfa re-enter the atmosphere?

POPPY 1 Alfa re-entered on 9 Feb 1967, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built POPPY 1 Alfa?

POPPY 1 Alfa was operated by NRO / NRL and built by NRL (US).

Launched together

Injun 3Re-entered 1968 Calsphere 1Re-entered 1963 SURCAL 2Re-entered 1966 POPPY 1 BravoRe-entered 1967 AFTRACK 27/Mission 7202Re-entered 1968

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

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