P&FS-2

Re-entered 17 Apr 1972

P&FS-2 (NORAD 6009, COSPAR 1972-031D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Apr 1972, launched on 16 Apr 1972 on the Apollo CM-113 mission. It was operated by MSC as part of the ApolloSS programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the Apollo SS bus, with a mass of 40 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

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Apr 1972 · on the Apollo CM-113 mission

Operational29 May 1972 · entered service

Retired29 May 1972 · end of operational service

Re-entered17 Apr 1972 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6009

COSPAR1972-031D

TypeSatellite

OperatorMSC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerTRW

BusApollo SS

Mass40 kg

ProgrammeApolloSS

CategorySCI

OrbitBEO (CLO)

Altitude202 × 471,165 km

Inclination32.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to P&FS-2?

P&FS-2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Apr 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 P&FS-2 re-enter the atmosphere?

P&FS-2 re-entered on 17 Apr 1972, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built P&FS-2?

P&FS-2 was operated by MSC and built by TRW (US).

Launched together

Apollo CM-113Re-entered 1972 LM 11 ASRe-entered 1972

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: Apollo CM-113 → What is space debris? →