FTV 3503

Re-entered 26 Dec 1979

FTV 3503 (NORAD 533, COSPAR 1963-005A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Dec 1979, launched on 19 Feb 1963 on the P35-3 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the P35 programme. The spacecraft was built by RCA on the P35 bus, with a mass of 50 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.

1963

launched

1979

re-entered

years on orbit

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 Feb 1963 · on the P35-3 mission

Operational1 Jan 1964 · entered service

Retired1 Jan 1964 · end of operational service

Re-entered26 Dec 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID533

COSPAR1963-005A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / SAFSP

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerRCA

BusP35

Mass50 kg

ProgrammeP35

CategoryMET

OrbitLEO (LEO/S)

Altitude504 × 791 km

Inclination100.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to FTV 3503?

FTV 3503 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Dec 1979, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1963. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did FTV 3503 re-enter the atmosphere?

FTV 3503 re-entered on 26 Dec 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built FTV 3503?

FTV 3503 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by RCA (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: P35-3 → What is space debris? →