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OV1-20P/FW4S

Re-entered 29 Aug 1971

OV1-20P/FW4S (NORAD 5394, COSPAR 1971-067A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Aug 1971, launched on 7 Aug 1971 on the OAR-901 mission. It was operated by STP as part of the OV1 P programme. The spacecraft was built by GDC on the OV1P bus, with a mass of 196 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
1971
re-entered
0
years on orbit
196
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Aug 1971 · on the OAR-901 mission
Operational7 Aug 1971 · entered service
Retired7 Aug 1971 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 Aug 1971 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5394
COSPAR1971-067A
TypeSatellite
OperatorSTP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGDC
BusOV1P
Mass196 kg
ProgrammeOV1 P
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude129 × 1,610 km
Inclination92.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OV1-20P/FW4S?

OV1-20P/FW4S re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Aug 1971, 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 OV1-20P/FW4S re-enter the atmosphere?

OV1-20P/FW4S re-entered on 29 Aug 1971, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OV1-20P/FW4S?

OV1-20P/FW4S was operated by STP and built by GDC (US).

Launched together

OV1-21P/FW4SNORAD 5397OAR-901Re-entered 1972OAR-907Re-entered 1971LCS 4NORAD 5398AVL-802Re-entered 1972AVL-802Re-entered 1979AVL-802Re-entered 1979AVL-802 Rigid SphereRe-entered 1981
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.