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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Apollo BP-15 CM

Re-entered 22 Sep 1964

Apollo BP-15 CM (NORAD 883, COSPAR 1964-057A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Sep 1964, launched on 18 Sep 1964 on the Apollo BP-15 CM mission. It was operated by MSC as part of the Apollo BPS programme. The spacecraft was built by NAAD on the CM bus, with a mass of 4,298 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
4,298
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Sep 1964 · on the Apollo BP-15 CM mission
Operational18 Sep 1964 · entered service
Retired18 Sep 1964 · end of operational service
Re-entered22 Sep 1964 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID883
COSPAR1964-057A
TypeSatellite
OperatorMSC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNAAD
BusCM
Mass4,298 kg
ProgrammeApollo BPS
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude177 × 206 km
Inclination31.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Apollo BP-15 CM?

Apollo BP-15 CM re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 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 Apollo BP-15 CM re-enter the atmosphere?

Apollo BP-15 CM re-entered on 22 Sep 1964, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Apollo BP-15 CM?

Apollo BP-15 CM was operated by MSC and built by NAAD (US).

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