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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

P-11 No. 4202

Re-entered 8 Mar 1979

P-11 No. 4202 (NORAD 851, COSPAR 1964-045B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Mar 1979, launched on 14 Aug 1964 on the GAMBIT SV 960 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the EHH A programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC on the P-11 bus, with a mass of 74 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
1979
re-entered
15
years on orbit
74
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Aug 1964 · on the GAMBIT SV 960 mission
Operational1 Feb 1965 · entered service
Retired1 Oct 1965 · end of operational service
Re-entered8 Mar 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID851
COSPAR1964-045B
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusP-11
Mass74 kg
ProgrammeEHH A
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/S)
Altitude271 × 3,724 km
Inclination95.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to P-11 No. 4202?

P-11 No. 4202 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Mar 1979, 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 P-11 No. 4202 re-enter the atmosphere?

P-11 No. 4202 re-entered on 8 Mar 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was P-11 No. 4202 operational?

P-11 No. 4202 was operational for roughly 8 months, from 1 Feb 1965 to 1 Oct 1965.

Who operated and built P-11 No. 4202?

P-11 No. 4202 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by LMSC (US).

Launched together

GAMBIT SV 960Re-entered 1964
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.