AFTRACK 33/Mission 7216

Re-entered 7 Aug 1963

AFTRACK 33/Mission 7216 (NORAD 593, COSPAR 1963-021A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Aug 1963, launched on 15 Jun 1963 on the SURCAL mission. It was operated by SAFSP as part of the AFTRACK programme. The spacecraft was built by ATI on the AFTRACK bus, with a mass of 5 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.

1963

launched

1963

re-entered

years on orbit

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Jun 1963 · on the SURCAL mission

Operational20 Jul 1963 · entered service

Retired20 Jul 1963 · end of operational service

Re-entered7 Aug 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID593

COSPAR1963-021A

TypeSatellite

OperatorSAFSP

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerATI

BusAFTRACK

Mass5 kg

ProgrammeAFTRACK

CategorySIG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude174 × 813 km

Inclination69.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AFTRACK 33/Mission 7216?

AFTRACK 33/Mission 7216 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Aug 1963, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1963. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did AFTRACK 33/Mission 7216 re-enter the atmosphere?

AFTRACK 33/Mission 7216 re-entered on 7 Aug 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built AFTRACK 33/Mission 7216?

AFTRACK 33/Mission 7216 was operated by SAFSP and built by ATI (US).

Launched together

Lofti 2BRe-entered 1963 POPPY 2 AlfaRe-entered 1963 POPPY 2 BravoRe-entered 1963 POPPY 2 CharlieRe-entered 1963 SURCALRe-entered 1963

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: SURCAL → What is space debris? →