🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
POPPY 3 Charlie
Retired 1968POPPY 3 Charlie (NORAD 728, COSPAR 1964-001B) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1968, launched on 11 Jan 1964 on the POPPY 3/HAYLOFT mission. It was operated by NRO / NRL as part of the POPPY programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the NRL 20" bus, with a mass of 38 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1964
launched
1968
retired
62
years on orbit
38
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched11 Jan 1964 · on the POPPY 3/HAYLOFT mission
Operational1 Jan 1968 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1968 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID728
COSPAR1964-001B
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / NRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusNRL 20"
Mass38 kg
ProgrammePOPPY
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude907 × 935 km
Inclination69.9°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to POPPY 3 Charlie?
POPPY 3 Charlie was retired from service around 1 Jan 1968 after launching in 1964. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built POPPY 3 Charlie?
POPPY 3 Charlie was operated by NRO / NRL and built by NRL (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.