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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

INTELSAT IV F7

Re-entered 18 Jul 2001

INTELSAT IV F7 (NORAD 6796, COSPAR 1973-058A) was a I-INT satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, launched on 23 Aug 1973 on the INTELSAT IV F7 mission. It was operated by INTEL as part of the Int4 programme. The spacecraft was built by HSES on the HS-312 bus, with a mass of 674 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
2001
re-entered
28
years on orbit
674
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Aug 1973 · on the INTELSAT IV F7 mission
Operational23 Feb 1984 · entered service
Retired23 Feb 1984 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Jul 2001 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6796
COSPAR1973-058A
TypeSatellite
OperatorINTEL
Country / StateI-INT
ManufacturerHSES
BusHS-312
Mass674 kg (539 kg dry)
ProgrammeInt4
CategoryCOM
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,782 × 35,791 km
Inclination0.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to INTELSAT IV F7?

INTELSAT IV F7 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, 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 INTELSAT IV F7 re-enter the atmosphere?

INTELSAT IV F7 re-entered on 18 Jul 2001, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built INTELSAT IV F7?

INTELSAT IV F7 was operated by INTEL and built by HSES (I-INT).

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