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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Surveyor SM-1

Re-entered 12 Dec 1964

Surveyor SM-1 (NORAD 951, COSPAR 1964-082A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Dec 1964, launched on 11 Dec 1964 on the Surveyor Model mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Surveyor Model programme. The spacecraft was built by JPL on the Surveyor Model bus, with a mass of 952 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
952
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched11 Dec 1964 · on the Surveyor Model mission
Operational11 Dec 1964 · entered service
Retired11 Dec 1964 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Dec 1964 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID951
COSPAR1964-082A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerJPL
BusSurveyor Model
Mass952 kg
ProgrammeSurveyor Model
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude165 × 178 km
Inclination30.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Surveyor SM-1?

Surveyor SM-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Dec 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 Surveyor SM-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

Surveyor SM-1 re-entered on 12 Dec 1964, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Surveyor SM-1?

Surveyor SM-1 was operated by JPL and built by JPL (US).

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