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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

AFTRACK 27/Mission 7202

Re-entered 24 Mar 1968

AFTRACK 27/Mission 7202 (NORAD 520, COSPAR 1962 B TAU 6) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Mar 1968, launched on 13 Dec 1962. It was operated by SAFSP as part of the AFTRACK programme. The spacecraft was built by ATI on the AFTRACK bus, with a mass of 5 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
1968
re-entered
6
years on orbit
5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Dec 1962
Operational16 Dec 1962 · entered service
Retired16 Dec 1962 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 Mar 1968 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID520
COSPAR1962 B TAU 6
TypeSatellite
OperatorSAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerATI
BusAFTRACK
Mass5 kg
ProgrammeAFTRACK
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude238 × 2,762 km
Inclination70.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AFTRACK 27/Mission 7202?

AFTRACK 27/Mission 7202 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Mar 1968, 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 AFTRACK 27/Mission 7202 re-enter the atmosphere?

AFTRACK 27/Mission 7202 re-entered on 24 Mar 1968, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built AFTRACK 27/Mission 7202?

AFTRACK 27/Mission 7202 was operated by SAFSP and built by ATI (US).

Launched together

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