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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Landsat B

Re-entered 1 Jan 1983

Landsat B (NORAD 7615, COSPAR 1975-004A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 1983, launched on 22 Jan 1975 on the Landsat B mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the Landsat programme. The spacecraft was built by GEVF on the Nimbus bus, with a mass of 953 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.

1975
launched
1983
re-entered
8
years on orbit
953
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Jan 1975 · on the Landsat B mission
Operational27 Jul 1983 · entered service
Retired27 Jul 1983 · end of operational service
Re-entered1 Jan 1983 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7615
COSPAR1975-004A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGEVF
BusNimbus
Mass953 kg
ProgrammeLandsat
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LEO/S)
Altitude901 × 917 km
Inclination99.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Landsat B?

Landsat B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 1983, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1975. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Landsat B re-enter the atmosphere?

Landsat B re-entered on 1 Jan 1983, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Landsat B?

Landsat B was operated by GSFC and built by GEVF (US).

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