🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
NATO 3B
Retired 1993NATO 3B (NORAD 9785, COSPAR 1977-005A) is a retired I-NATO satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Sep 1993, launched on 28 Jan 1977 on the NATO 3B mission. It was operated by NICS as part of the NATO programme. The spacecraft was built by FORDA on the NATO 3 bus, with a mass of 307 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1977
launched
1993
retired
49
years on orbit
307
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched28 Jan 1977 · on the NATO 3B mission
Operational22 Jun 1993 · entered service
Retired1 Sep 1993 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID9785
COSPAR1977-005A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNICS
Country / StateI-NATO
ManufacturerFORDA
BusNATO 3
Mass307 kg (279 kg dry)
ProgrammeNATO
CategoryCOM
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,777 × 35,786 km
Inclination2.7°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to NATO 3B?
NATO 3B was retired from service around 1 Sep 1993 after launching in 1977. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
How long was NATO 3B operational?
NATO 3B was operational for roughly 2 months, from 22 Jun 1993 to 1 Sep 1993.
Who operated and built NATO 3B?
NATO 3B was operated by NICS and built by FORDA (I-NATO).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.