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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SRV

Re-entered 31 Oct 1961

SRV (NORAD 90, COSPAR 1961 EPS 4) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Oct 1961, launched on 17 Feb 1961. It was operated by AFBMD / CIA as part of the SRV programme. The spacecraft was built by GERSD on the SRV Mk V bus, with a mass of 127 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.

1961
launched
1961
re-entered
0
years on orbit
127
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Feb 1961
Operational21 Feb 1961 · entered service
Retired21 Feb 1961 · end of operational service
Re-entered31 Oct 1961 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID90
COSPAR1961 EPS 4
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFBMD / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGERSD
BusSRV Mk V
Mass127 kg
ProgrammeSRV
CategoryRV
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude395 × 764 km
Inclination80.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SRV?

SRV re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Oct 1961, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1961. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SRV re-enter the atmosphere?

SRV re-entered on 31 Oct 1961, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SRV?

SRV was operated by AFBMD / CIA and built by GERSD (US).

Launched together

ARGON 1Re-entered 1962
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.