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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

KENNEN 1

Re-entered 28 Jan 1979

KENNEN 1 (NORAD 9627, COSPAR 1976-125A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Jan 1979, launched on 19 Dec 1976 on the KH11-1 KENNAN mission. It was operated by NRO / CIA as part of the KH-11 programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the KH-11 bus, with a mass of 8,556 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
1979
re-entered
3
years on orbit
8,556
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 Dec 1976 · on the KH11-1 KENNAN mission
Operational28 Jan 1979 · entered service
Retired28 Jan 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered28 Jan 1979 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID9627
COSPAR1976-125A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusKH-11
Mass8,556 kg
ProgrammeKH-11
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude339 × 531 km
Inclination97.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to KENNEN 1?

KENNEN 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Jan 1979, 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 KENNEN 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

KENNEN 1 re-entered on 28 Jan 1979, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built KENNEN 1?

KENNEN 1 was operated by NRO / CIA and built by TRW (US).

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