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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

AVL-802

Re-entered 2 Nov 1979

AVL-802 (NORAD 5406, COSPAR 1971-067H) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Nov 1979, launched on 7 Aug 1971 on the OAR-901 mission. It was operated by SAMSO / AFAL as part of the OV1 A programme. The spacecraft was built by AFAL/GOYR? on the AVL-802 bus, with a mass of 6 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
1979
re-entered
8
years on orbit
6
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Aug 1971 · on the OAR-901 mission
Operational7 Aug 1971 · entered service
Retired7 Aug 1971 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Nov 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5406
COSPAR1971-067H
TypeSatellite
OperatorSAMSO / AFAL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAFAL/GOYR?
BusAVL-802
Mass6 kg
ProgrammeOV1 A
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude778 × 915 km
Inclination87.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AVL-802?

AVL-802 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Nov 1979, 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 AVL-802 re-enter the atmosphere?

AVL-802 re-entered on 2 Nov 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built AVL-802?

AVL-802 was operated by SAMSO / AFAL and built by AFAL/GOYR? (US).

Launched together

OV1-20P/FW4SRe-entered 1971OV1-21P/FW4SNORAD 5397OAR-901Re-entered 1972OAR-907Re-entered 1971LCS 4NORAD 5398AVL-802Re-entered 1972AVL-802Re-entered 1979AVL-802 Rigid SphereRe-entered 1981
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.