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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Nimbus A

Re-entered 16 May 1974

Nimbus A (NORAD 872, COSPAR 1964-052A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 May 1974, launched on 28 Aug 1964 on the Nimbus A mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the Nimbus programme. The spacecraft was built by GEVF on the Nimbus bus, with a mass of 376 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
1974
re-entered
10
years on orbit
376
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Aug 1964 · on the Nimbus A mission
Operational8 Dec 1964 · entered service
Retired8 Dec 1964 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 May 1974 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID872
COSPAR1964-052A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGEVF
BusNimbus
Mass376 kg
ProgrammeNimbus
CategoryMET
OrbitLEO (LEO/S)
Altitude426 × 935 km
Inclination98.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Nimbus A?

Nimbus A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 May 1974, 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 Nimbus A re-enter the atmosphere?

Nimbus A re-entered on 16 May 1974, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Nimbus A?

Nimbus A was operated by GSFC and built by GEVF (US).

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