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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

NASA P-14

Re-entered 26 Mar 1961

NASA P-14 (NORAD 98, COSPAR 1961 KAP) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Mar 1961, launched on 25 Mar 1961. It was operated by GSFC as part of the ExplorerG programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC on the P-14 bus, with a mass of 35 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.

1961
launched
1961
re-entered
0
years on orbit
35
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Mar 1961
Operational27 Mar 1961 · entered service
Retired27 Mar 1961 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Mar 1961 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID98
COSPAR1961 KAP
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC
BusP-14
Mass35 kg
ProgrammeExplorerG
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (DSO)
Altitude221 × 181,000 km
Inclination33.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to NASA P-14?

NASA P-14 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Mar 1961, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1961. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did NASA P-14 re-enter the atmosphere?

NASA P-14 re-entered on 26 Mar 1961, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built NASA P-14?

NASA P-14 was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC (US).

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