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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

NASA S-30

Re-entered 28 Mar 2012

NASA S-30 (NORAD 60, COSPAR 1960 XI 1) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Mar 2012, launched on 3 Nov 1960. It was operated by GSFC as part of the ExplorerG programme. The spacecraft was built by MSFC on the S-1 bus, with a mass of 41 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.

1960
launched
2012
re-entered
52
years on orbit
41
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Nov 1960
Operational27 Dec 1960 · entered service
Retired27 Dec 1960 · end of operational service
Re-entered28 Mar 2012 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID60
COSPAR1960 XI 1
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMSFC
BusS-1
Mass41 kg
ProgrammeExplorerG
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude416 × 2,286 km
Inclination50.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to NASA S-30?

NASA S-30 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Mar 2012, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1960. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did NASA S-30 re-enter the atmosphere?

NASA S-30 re-entered on 28 Mar 2012, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built NASA S-30?

NASA S-30 was operated by GSFC and built by MSFC (US).

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