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NASA S-56A

Re-entered 9 Apr 1964

NASA S-56A (NORAD 81, COSPAR 1961 DEL 1) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Apr 1964, launched on 16 Feb 1961. It was operated by LARCN as part of the Explorer AD programme. The spacecraft was built by SCHJ on the 12' Sphere bus, with a mass of 6 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.

1961
launched
1964
re-entered
3
years on orbit
6
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Feb 1961
Operational16 Feb 1961 · entered service
Retired16 Feb 1961 · end of operational service
Re-entered9 Apr 1964 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID81
COSPAR1961 DEL 1
TypeSatellite
OperatorLARCN
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSCHJ
Bus12' Sphere
Mass6 kg
ProgrammeExplorer AD
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude635 × 2,581 km
Inclination38.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to NASA S-56A?

NASA S-56A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Apr 1964, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1961. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did NASA S-56A re-enter the atmosphere?

NASA S-56A re-entered on 9 Apr 1964, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built NASA S-56A?

NASA S-56A was operated by LARCN and built by SCHJ (US).

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