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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

POPPY 1 Bravo

Re-entered 5 Feb 1967

POPPY 1 Bravo (NORAD 513, COSPAR 1962 B TAU 5) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 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
5
years on orbit
25
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Dec 1962
Operational1 Dec 1965 · entered service
Retired1 Dec 1965 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Feb 1967 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID513
COSPAR1962 B TAU 5
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / NRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusNRL 20"
Mass25 kg
ProgrammePOPPY
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude232 × 2,492 km
Inclination70.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to POPPY 1 Bravo?

POPPY 1 Bravo re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 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 Bravo re-enter the atmosphere?

POPPY 1 Bravo re-entered on 5 Feb 1967, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built POPPY 1 Bravo?

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

Launched together

POPPY 1 AlfaRe-entered 1967Injun 3Re-entered 1968Calsphere 1Re-entered 1963SURCAL 2Re-entered 1966AFTRACK 27/Mission 7202Re-entered 1968
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.