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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ERS 33

Re-entered 19 Sep 1978

ERS 33 (NORAD 5492, COSPAR 1971-083B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Sep 1978, launched on 29 Sep 1971 on the OSO H mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the TTS programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the ORS bus, with a mass of 18 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
7
years on orbit
18
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 Sep 1971 · on the OSO H mission
Operational1 Jan 1972 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Sep 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5492
COSPAR1971-083B
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusORS
Mass18 kg
ProgrammeTTS
CategoryCAL
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude400 × 571 km
Inclination33.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ERS 33?

ERS 33 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Sep 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 ERS 33 re-enter the atmosphere?

ERS 33 re-entered on 19 Sep 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ERS 33?

ERS 33 was operated by GSFC and built by TRW (US).

Launched together

OSO HRe-entered 1974
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.