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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Mariner 10

Re-entered 3 Nov 1973

Mariner 10 (NORAD 6919, COSPAR 1973-085A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Nov 1973, launched on 3 Nov 1973 on the Mariner 73J mission. It is catalogued as Mariner 73-2. It was operated by JPL as part of the Mariner programme. The spacecraft was built by BOKT on the Mariner bus, with a mass of 502 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
502
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Nov 1973 · on the Mariner 73J mission
Operational24 Mar 1975 · entered service
Retired24 Mar 1975 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 Nov 1973 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6919
COSPAR1973-085A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBOKT
BusMariner
Mass502 kg (473 kg dry)
ProgrammeMariner
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude189 × -56,493 km
Inclination28.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Mariner 10?

Mariner 10 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Nov 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 Mariner 10 re-enter the atmosphere?

Mariner 10 re-entered on 3 Nov 1973, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Mariner 10?

Mariner 10 was operated by JPL and built by BOKT (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-10-21.