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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

OGO A

Re-entered 6 Sep 1964

OGO A (NORAD 879, COSPAR 1964-054A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Sep 1964, launched on 5 Sep 1964 on the OGO A mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the EGO programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the OGO bus, with a mass of 487 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
1964
re-entered
0
years on orbit
487
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Sep 1964 · on the OGO A mission
Operational15 Feb 1972 · entered service
Retired15 Feb 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered6 Sep 1964 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID879
COSPAR1964-054A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusOGO
Mass487 kg
ProgrammeEGO
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (DSO)
Altitude1,289 × 148,412 km
Inclination32.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OGO A?

OGO A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Sep 1964, 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 OGO A re-enter the atmosphere?

OGO A re-entered on 6 Sep 1964, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OGO A?

OGO A was operated by GSFC and built by TRW (US).

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