HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesD-5B
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

D-5B

Re-entered 18 Feb 1979

D-5B (NORAD 7802, COSPAR 1975-039B) was a F satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Feb 1979, launched on 17 May 1975 on the D-5A mission. It was operated by CNES as part of the Diamant Tech programme. The spacecraft was built by AESPC on the D-5B bus, with a mass of 76 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
1979
re-entered
4
years on orbit
76
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 May 1975 · on the D-5A mission
Operational18 Feb 1979 · entered service
Retired18 Feb 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Feb 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7802
COSPAR1975-039B
TypeSatellite
OperatorCNES
Country / StateF
ManufacturerAESPC
BusD-5B
Mass76 kg
ProgrammeDiamant Tech
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude273 × 1,263 km
Inclination30.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to D-5B?

D-5B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Feb 1979, 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 D-5B re-enter the atmosphere?

D-5B re-entered on 18 Feb 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built D-5B?

D-5B was operated by CNES and built by AESPC (F).

Launched together

D-5ARe-entered 1975
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.