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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Apollo CM-116

Re-entered 25 May 1973

Apollo CM-116 (NORAD 6655, COSPAR 1973-032A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 May 1973, launched on 25 May 1973 on the Apollo CM-116 mission. It was operated by JSC as part of the Apollo II programme. The spacecraft was built by RWID on the CM bus, with a mass of 6,076 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
1973
re-entered
0
years on orbit
6,076
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 May 1973 · on the Apollo CM-116 mission
Operational22 Jun 1973 · entered service
Retired22 Jun 1973 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 May 1973 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6655
COSPAR1973-032A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWID
BusCM
Mass6,076 kg (5,845 kg dry)
ProgrammeApollo II
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude425 × 440 km
Inclination50.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Apollo CM-116?

Apollo CM-116 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 May 1973, 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 Apollo CM-116 re-enter the atmosphere?

Apollo CM-116 re-entered on 25 May 1973, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Apollo CM-116?

Apollo CM-116 was operated by JSC and built by RWID (US).

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