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INTELSAT IV F8

Re-entered 18 Jul 2001

INTELSAT IV F8 (NORAD 7544, COSPAR 1974-093A) was a I-INT satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, launched on 21 Nov 1974 on the INTELSAT IV F8 mission. It was operated by INTEL as part of the Int4 programme. The spacecraft was built by HSES on the HS-312 bus, with a mass of 664 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.

1974
launched
2001
re-entered
27
years on orbit
664
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Nov 1974 · on the INTELSAT IV F8 mission
Operational20 Aug 1985 · entered service
Retired20 Aug 1985 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Jul 2001 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7544
COSPAR1974-093A
TypeSatellite
OperatorINTEL
Country / StateI-INT
ManufacturerHSES
BusHS-312
Mass664 kg (531 kg dry)
ProgrammeInt4
CategoryCOM
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,717 × 35,851 km
Inclination0.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to INTELSAT IV F8?

INTELSAT IV F8 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1974. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did INTELSAT IV F8 re-enter the atmosphere?

INTELSAT IV F8 re-entered on 18 Jul 2001, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built INTELSAT IV F8?

INTELSAT IV F8 was operated by INTEL and built by HSES (I-INT).

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