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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

GAMBIT SV 953

Re-entered 29 Oct 1963

GAMBIT SV 953 (NORAD 677, COSPAR 1963-041A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Oct 1963, launched on 25 Oct 1963 on the GAMBIT SV 953 mission. 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
0
years on orbit
2,000
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Oct 1963 · on the GAMBIT SV 953 mission
Operational27 Oct 1963 · entered service
Retired27 Oct 1963 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 Oct 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID677
COSPAR1963-041A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGEVF
BusAFP-206 OCV
Mass2,000 kg
ProgrammeAFP-206
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude119 × 292 km
Inclination99.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to GAMBIT SV 953?

GAMBIT SV 953 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Oct 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 GAMBIT SV 953 re-enter the atmosphere?

GAMBIT SV 953 re-entered on 29 Oct 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built GAMBIT SV 953?

GAMBIT SV 953 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by GEVF (US).

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