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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

DASH 2

Re-entered 12 Apr 1971

DASH 2 (NORAD 624, COSPAR 1963-030D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Apr 1971, launched on 19 Jul 1963 on the Midas ETS-III F4 mission. It was operated by AFSSD as part of the DASH programme. The spacecraft was built by MITLL on the DASH bus, with a mass of 1 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
1971
re-entered
8
years on orbit
1
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 Jul 1963 · on the Midas ETS-III F4 mission
Operational19 Jul 1963 · entered service
Retired19 Jul 1963 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Apr 1971 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID624
COSPAR1963-030D
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFSSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMITLL
BusDASH
Mass1 kg
ProgrammeDASH
CategoryCAL
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude3,677 × 3,731 km
Inclination88.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DASH 2?

DASH 2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Apr 1971, 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 DASH 2 re-enter the atmosphere?

DASH 2 re-entered on 12 Apr 1971, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DASH 2?

DASH 2 was operated by AFSSD and built by MITLL (US).

Launched together

Midas ETS-III F4NORAD 622ERS 9NORAD 635West Ford Telemetry PackageNORAD 3121
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.