🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
Comstar D-1
Retired 1984Comstar D-1 (NORAD 8838, COSPAR 1976-042A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 26 Oct 1984, launched on 13 May 1976 on the Comstar D-1 mission. It was operated by COM as part of the Comstar programme. The spacecraft was built by HSES on the HS-351 bus, with a mass of 748 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1976
launched
1984
retired
50
years on orbit
748
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched13 May 1976 · on the Comstar D-1 mission
Operational26 Oct 1984 · entered service
Retired26 Oct 1984 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID8838
COSPAR1976-042A
TypeSatellite
OperatorCOM
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerHSES
BusHS-351
Mass748 kg (590 kg dry)
ProgrammeComstar
CategoryCOM
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,776 × 35,798 km
Inclination0.1°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Comstar D-1?
Comstar D-1 was retired from service around 26 Oct 1984 after launching in 1976. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built Comstar D-1?
Comstar D-1 was operated by COM and built by HSES (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.