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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Lofti 2B

Re-entered 18 Jul 1963

Lofti 2B (NORAD 601, COSPAR 1963-021B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 1963, launched on 15 Jun 1963 on the SURCAL mission. It was operated by NRL as part of the Lofti programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the NRL 20" bus, with a mass of 27 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
0
years on orbit
27
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Jun 1963 · on the SURCAL mission
Operational18 Jul 1963 · entered service
Retired18 Jul 1963 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Jul 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID601
COSPAR1963-021B
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusNRL 20"
Mass27 kg
ProgrammeLofti
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude169 × 834 km
Inclination69.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Lofti 2B?

Lofti 2B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 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 Lofti 2B re-enter the atmosphere?

Lofti 2B re-entered on 18 Jul 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Lofti 2B?

Lofti 2B was operated by NRL and built by NRL (US).

Launched together

AFTRACK 33/Mission 7216Re-entered 1963POPPY 2 AlfaRe-entered 1963POPPY 2 BravoRe-entered 1963POPPY 2 CharlieRe-entered 1963SURCALRe-entered 1963
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.
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