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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

COS-B

Re-entered 18 Jan 1986

COS-B (NORAD 8062, COSPAR 1975-072A) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jan 1986, launched on 9 Aug 1975 on the COS-B mission. It was operated by ESA as part of the ESA Ast programme. The spacecraft was built by MBB/AESPC on the COS-B bus, with a mass of 278 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
1986
re-entered
11
years on orbit
278
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Aug 1975 · on the COS-B mission
Operational12 May 1982 · entered service
Retired12 May 1982 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Jan 1986 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID8062
COSPAR1975-072A
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerMBB/AESPC
BusCOS-B
Mass278 kg (267 kg dry)
ProgrammeESA Ast
CategoryAST
Orbit (VHEO)
Altitude2,536 × 96,895 km
Inclination92.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to COS-B?

COS-B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jan 1986, 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 COS-B re-enter the atmosphere?

COS-B re-entered on 18 Jan 1986, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built COS-B?

COS-B was operated by ESA and built by MBB/AESPC (I-ESA).

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