Vela 2B

Re-entered 1 Jan 1969

Vela 2B (NORAD 837, COSPAR 1964-040B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 1969, launched on 17 Jul 1964 on the Vela 2A mission. It was operated by AFSSD as part of the Vela programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the Vela bus, with a mass of 125 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.

1964

launched

1969

re-entered

years on orbit

125

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Jul 1964 · on the Vela 2A mission

Operational1 Dec 1969 · entered service

Retired1 Dec 1969 · end of operational service

Re-entered1 Jan 1969 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID837

COSPAR1964-040B

TypeSatellite

OperatorAFSSD

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerTRW

BusVela

Mass125 kg

ProgrammeVela

CategoryEW

Orbit (VHEO)

Altitude94,374 × 111,691 km

Inclination40.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Vela 2B?

Vela 2B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 1969, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1964. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Vela 2B re-enter the atmosphere?

Vela 2B re-entered on 1 Jan 1969, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Vela 2B?

Vela 2B was operated by AFSSD and built by TRW (US).

Launched together

Vela 2ARe-entered 1972 ERS 13Re-entered 1966

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Vela 2A → What is space debris? →