🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
NATO 3A
Retired 1992NATO 3A (NORAD 8808, COSPAR 1976-035A) is a retired I-NATO satellite, withdrawn from service around 17 Dec 1992, launched on 22 Apr 1976 on the NATO 3A mission. It was operated by NICS as part of the NATO programme. The spacecraft was built by FORDP on the NATO 3 bus, with a mass of 277 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1976
launched
1992
retired
50
years on orbit
277
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched22 Apr 1976 · on the NATO 3A mission
Operational17 Dec 1992 · entered service
Retired17 Dec 1992 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID8808
COSPAR1976-035A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNICS
Country / StateI-NATO
ManufacturerFORDP
BusNATO 3
Mass277 kg (249 kg dry)
ProgrammeNATO
CategoryCOM
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,772 × 35,801 km
Inclination2.5°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to NATO 3A?
NATO 3A was retired from service around 17 Dec 1992 after launching in 1976. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built NATO 3A?
NATO 3A was operated by NICS and built by FORDP (I-NATO).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.