🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
APL SN-41
Retired 1964APL SN-41 (NORAD 705, COSPAR 1963-049C) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 9 Mar 1964, launched on 5 Dec 1963 on the Transit VBN-2 mission. It was operated by BUWEPS as part of the Transit 5E programme. The spacecraft was built by APL on the Transit 5 bus, with a mass of 52 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1963
launched
1964
retired
63
years on orbit
52
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched5 Dec 1963 · on the Transit VBN-2 mission
Operational9 Mar 1964 · entered service
Retired9 Mar 1964 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID705
COSPAR1963-049C
TypeSatellite
OperatorBUWEPS
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAPL
BusTransit 5
Mass52 kg
ProgrammeTransit 5E
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude1,066 × 1,119 km
Inclination90.0°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to APL SN-41?
APL SN-41 was retired from service around 9 Mar 1964 after launching in 1963. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built APL SN-41?
APL SN-41 was operated by BUWEPS and built by APL (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.