OPS 1947

Re-entered 13 Sep 1963

OPS 1947 (NORAD 641, COSPAR 1963-036A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Sep 1963, launched on 6 Sep 1963 on the GAMBIT SV 952 mission. It is catalogued as GAMBIT SV 952. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the AFP-206 programme. The spacecraft was built by GEVF on the AFP-206 OCV bus, with a mass of 2,000 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

years on orbit

2,000

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Sep 1963 · on the GAMBIT SV 952 mission

Operational8 Sep 1963 · entered service

Retired8 Sep 1963 · end of operational service

Re-entered13 Sep 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID641

COSPAR1963-036A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / SAFSP

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerGEVF

BusAFP-206 OCV

Mass2,000 kg

ProgrammeAFP-206

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/P)

Altitude174 × 277 km

Inclination94.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OPS 1947?

OPS 1947 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Sep 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 OPS 1947 re-enter the atmosphere?

OPS 1947 re-entered on 13 Sep 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OPS 1947?

OPS 1947 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by GEVF (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-10-05.

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: GAMBIT SV 952 → What is space debris? →