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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

FSW No. 3

Re-entered 2 Jan 1977

FSW No. 3 (NORAD 9587, COSPAR 1976-117A) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Jan 1977, launched on 7 Dec 1976 on the FSW No. 3 mission. It was operated by JGB7 as part of the FSWP programme. The spacecraft was built by CAST on the FSW bus, with a mass of 1,100 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.

1976
launched
1977
re-entered
1
year on orbit
1,100
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Dec 1976 · on the FSW No. 3 mission
Operational9 Dec 1976 · entered service
Retired9 Dec 1976 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Jan 1977 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID9587
COSPAR1976-117A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJGB7
Country / StateCN
ManufacturerCAST
BusFSW
Mass1,100 kg
ProgrammeFSWP
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude173 × 438 km
Inclination59.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to FSW No. 3?

FSW No. 3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Jan 1977, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1976. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did FSW No. 3 re-enter the atmosphere?

FSW No. 3 re-entered on 2 Jan 1977, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built FSW No. 3?

FSW No. 3 was operated by JGB7 and built by CAST (CN).

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