Radcat

Re-entered 2 Aug 2012

Radcat (NORAD 6212, COSPAR 1972-076A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Aug 2012, launched on 2 Oct 1972 on the Radcat mission. It was operated by USN / DOD as part of the STP1 programme. The spacecraft was built by GDC on the Radcat bus, with a mass of 207 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

2012

re-entered

years on orbit

207

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Oct 1972 · on the Radcat mission

Operational2 Oct 1972 · entered service

Retired2 Oct 1972 · end of operational service

Re-entered2 Aug 2012 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6212

COSPAR1972-076A

TypeSatellite

OperatorUSN / DOD

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerGDC

BusRadcat

Mass207 kg

ProgrammeSTP1

CategoryCAL

OrbitLEO (LEO/S)

Altitude729 × 747 km

Inclination98.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Radcat?

Radcat re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Aug 2012, 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 Radcat re-enter the atmosphere?

Radcat re-entered on 2 Aug 2012, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Radcat?

Radcat was operated by USN / DOD and built by GDC (US).

Launched together

STP P72-1NORAD 6217

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: Radcat → What is space debris? →