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INTELSAT IV F1

Re-entered 18 Jul 2001

INTELSAT IV F1 (NORAD 7815, COSPAR 1975-042A) was a I-INT satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, launched on 22 May 1975 on the INTELSAT IV F1 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.

1975
launched
2001
re-entered
26
years on orbit
664
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 May 1975 · on the INTELSAT IV F1 mission
Operational27 Oct 1987 · entered service
Retired27 Oct 1987 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Jul 2001 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID7815
COSPAR1975-042A
TypeSatellite
OperatorINTEL
Country / StateI-INT
ManufacturerHSES
BusHS-312
Mass664 kg (531 kg dry)
ProgrammeInt4
CategoryCOM
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,785 × 35,788 km
Inclination0.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to INTELSAT IV F1?

INTELSAT IV F1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2001, 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 INTELSAT IV F1 re-enter the atmosphere?

INTELSAT IV F1 re-entered on 18 Jul 2001, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built INTELSAT IV F1?

INTELSAT IV F1 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.