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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Skylab I OWS

Re-entered 11 Jul 1979

Skylab I OWS (NORAD 6633, COSPAR 1973-027A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Jul 1979, launched on 14 May 1973 on the Skylab I OWS mission. It was operated by MSFC as part of the Saturn V programme. The spacecraft was built by MDAC on the S-IVB OWS bus, with a mass of 33,956 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.

1973
launched
1979
re-entered
6
years on orbit
33,956
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 May 1973 · on the Skylab I OWS mission
Operational11 Jun 1979 · entered service
Retired11 Jun 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Jul 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6633
COSPAR1973-027A
TypeSatellite
OperatorMSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMDAC
BusS-IVB OWS
Mass33,956 kg (32,697 kg dry)
ProgrammeSaturn V
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude421 × 444 km
Inclination50.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Skylab I OWS?

Skylab I OWS re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Jul 1979, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1973. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Skylab I OWS re-enter the atmosphere?

Skylab I OWS re-entered on 11 Jul 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Skylab I OWS?

Skylab I OWS was operated by MSFC and built by MDAC (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.