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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

RA-6

Re-entered 31 Jan 1964

RA-6 (NORAD 747, COSPAR 1964-007A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Jan 1964, launched on 30 Jan 1964 on the RA-6 mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Ranger III programme. The spacecraft was built by JPL on the Ranger Block III bus, with a mass of 381 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.

1964
launched
1964
re-entered
0
years on orbit
381
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Jan 1964 · on the RA-6 mission
Operational2 Feb 1964 · entered service
Retired2 Feb 1964 · end of operational service
Re-entered31 Jan 1964 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID747
COSPAR1964-007A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerJPL
BusRanger Block III
Mass381 kg
ProgrammeRanger III
CategoryPLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude200 × 520,000 km
Inclination29.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to RA-6?

RA-6 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Jan 1964, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1964. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did RA-6 re-enter the atmosphere?

RA-6 re-entered on 31 Jan 1964, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built RA-6?

RA-6 was operated by JPL and built by JPL (US).

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