HEOS A2

Re-entered 1 Feb 1972

HEOS A2 (NORAD 5814, COSPAR 1972-005A) was a I-ESRO satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Feb 1972, launched on 31 Jan 1972 on the HEOS A2 mission. It was operated by ESRO as part of the HEOS programme. The spacecraft was built by MBB on the HEOS bus, with a mass of 117 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

1972

re-entered

years on orbit

117

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched31 Jan 1972 · on the HEOS A2 mission

Operational2 Aug 1974 · entered service

Retired2 Aug 1974 · end of operational service

Re-entered1 Feb 1972 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5814

COSPAR1972-005A

TypeSatellite

OperatorESRO

Country / StateI-ESRO

ManufacturerMBB

BusHEOS

Mass117 kg

ProgrammeHEOS

CategorySCI

OrbitLEO (DSO)

Altitude994 × 239,335 km

Inclination90.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to HEOS A2?

HEOS A2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Feb 1972, 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 HEOS A2 re-enter the atmosphere?

HEOS A2 re-entered on 1 Feb 1972, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built HEOS A2?

HEOS A2 was operated by ESRO and built by MBB (I-ESRO).

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: HEOS A2 → What is space debris? →