STRAWMAN 4

Re-entered 31 Aug 1978

STRAWMAN 4 (NORAD 5329, COSPAR 1971-060A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Aug 1978, launched on 16 Jul 1971 on the STRAWMAN 4 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the STRAWMAN programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC/CHAIL on the STRAWMAN bus, with a mass of 975 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.

1971

launched

1978

re-entered

years on orbit

975

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Jul 1971 · on the STRAWMAN 4 mission

Operational23 Mar 1973 · entered service

Retired23 Mar 1973 · end of operational service

Re-entered31 Aug 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5329

COSPAR1971-060A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / SAFSP

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSC/CHAIL

BusSTRAWMAN

Mass975 kg

ProgrammeSTRAWMAN

CategorySIG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude486 × 505 km

Inclination75.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to STRAWMAN 4?

STRAWMAN 4 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Aug 1978, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1971. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did STRAWMAN 4 re-enter the atmosphere?

STRAWMAN 4 re-entered on 31 Aug 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built STRAWMAN 4?

STRAWMAN 4 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by LMSC/CHAIL (US).

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: STRAWMAN 4 → What is space debris? →