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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

INTELSAT IV F4

Re-entered 18 Jul 2001

INTELSAT IV F4 (NORAD 5775, COSPAR 1972-003A) was a I-INT satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, launched on 23 Jan 1972 on the INTELSAT IV F4 mission. It was operated by INTEL as part of the Int4 programme. The spacecraft was built by HSES on the HS-312 bus, with a mass of 666 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.

1972
launched
2001
re-entered
29
years on orbit
666
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Jan 1972 · on the INTELSAT IV F4 mission
Operational10 May 1983 · entered service
Retired10 May 1983 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Jul 2001 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5775
COSPAR1972-003A
TypeSatellite
OperatorINTEL
Country / StateI-INT
ManufacturerHSES
BusHS-312
Mass666 kg (531 kg dry)
ProgrammeInt4
CategoryCOM
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,671 × 35,905 km
Inclination0.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to INTELSAT IV F4?

INTELSAT IV F4 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1972. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did INTELSAT IV F4 re-enter the atmosphere?

INTELSAT IV F4 re-entered on 18 Jul 2001, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built INTELSAT IV F4?

INTELSAT IV F4 was operated by INTEL and built by HSES (I-INT).

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