🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
Palapa A1
Retired 1986Palapa A1 (NORAD 9009, COSPAR 1976-066A) is a retired ID satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1986, launched on 8 Jul 1976 on the Palapa A1 mission. It was operated by PER as part of the Palapa A programme. The spacecraft was built by HSES on the HS-333 bus, with a mass of 282 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1976
launched
1986
retired
50
years on orbit
282
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched8 Jul 1976 · on the Palapa A1 mission
Operational1 Jan 1986 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1986 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID9009
COSPAR1976-066A
TypeSatellite
OperatorPER
Country / StateID
ManufacturerHSES
BusHS-333
Mass282 kg (208 kg dry)
ProgrammePalapa A
CategoryCOM
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,779 × 35,791 km
Inclination0.0°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Palapa A1?
Palapa A1 was retired from service around 1 Jan 1986 after launching in 1976. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built Palapa A1?
Palapa A1 was operated by PER and built by HSES (ID).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.