Vela 1B

Re-entered 1 Jan 1980

Vela 1B (NORAD 692, COSPAR 1963-039C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 1980, launched on 17 Oct 1963 on the Vela 1A mission. It was operated by AFSSD as part of the Vela programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the Vela bus, with a mass of 115 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

1980

re-entered

years on orbit

115

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Oct 1963 · on the Vela 1A mission

Operational1 Aug 1968 · entered service

Retired1 Aug 1968 · end of operational service

Re-entered1 Jan 1980 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID692

COSPAR1963-039C

TypeSatellite

OperatorAFSSD

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerTRW

BusVela

Mass115 kg

ProgrammeVela

CategoryEW

Orbit (VHEO)

Altitude101,925 × 116,528 km

Inclination37.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Vela 1B?

Vela 1B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 1980, 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 Vela 1B re-enter the atmosphere?

Vela 1B re-entered on 1 Jan 1980, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Vela 1B?

Vela 1B was operated by AFSSD and built by TRW (US).

Launched together

Vela 1ARe-entered 1980 ERS 12Re-entered 1966

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Vela 1A → What is space debris? →