OSO Satellite Bus

Data current as of 2026-07-20.

The OSO bus accounts for 8 cataloged objects, of which 0 are in orbit and 0 are active. 8 have reentered. Most are built by BALL. The largest operator on this bus is NASA. The first launched in 1962, the most recent in 1979.

0
In orbit
0
Active
8
Total launched
8
Reentered

OSO launched per year

1 2 1962: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1963: 0 objects launched 1964: 0 objects launched 1965: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1966: 0 objects launched 1967: 2 launched, 2 since reentered 1968: 0 objects launched 1969: 2 launched, 2 since reentered 1970: 0 objects launched 1971: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1972: 0 objects launched 1973: 0 objects launched 1974: 0 objects launched 1975: 0 objects launched 1976: 0 objects launched 1977: 0 objects launched 1978: 0 objects launched 1979: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1962 1967 1972 1977
Still in orbit Since reentered Click a year to list its satellites.

Typical specifications

Most common values across cataloged OSO satellites.

Manufacturer BALL
Launch mass 208 kg
Dry mass 208 kg
Length 0.9 m
Diameter 1.1 m
Span 2.3 m
Shape Oct Cyl + Sail + 3 Ant

Top operators

NASA 7 STP/NRL 1

Top countries

US 8

OSO satellites

Track any of them live in KeepTrack.

Name NORAD COSPAR Owner Launched Orbit Status Track
SOLWIND P78-1 11278 1979-017A STP/NRL Feb 24, 1979 87 min, 97.8° Reentered
OSO 7 OSO 7 05491 1971-083A GSFC Sep 29, 1971 87 min, 33.1° Reentered
OSO 6 OSO 6 04065 1969-068A GSFC Aug 9, 1969 88 min, 32.9° Reentered
OSO 5 OSO 5 03663 1969-006A GSFC Jan 22, 1969 88 min, 32.9° Reentered
OSO 4 OSO 4 03000 1967-100A GSFC Oct 18, 1967 87 min, 33.0° Reentered
OSO 3 OSO 3 02703 1967-020A GSFC Mar 8, 1967 88 min, 32.8° Reentered
OSO 2 OSO 2 00987 1965-007A GSFC Feb 3, 1965 87 min, 32.8° Reentered
OSO 1 OSO 1 00255 1962-006A GSFC Mar 7, 1962 87 min, 32.8° Reentered

Frequently asked questions

How many OSO satellites are there?

The catalog lists 8 objects built on the OSO bus. 0 are in orbit and 8 have reentered.

How many OSO satellites are in orbit?

0 OSO objects are currently in orbit, of which 0 carry an active status.

Who builds the OSO bus?

The OSO bus is most commonly built by BALL.

When did the first OSO satellite launch?

The first cataloged OSO satellite launched in 1962, and the most recent in 1979.

Satellite data compiled by KeepTrack from CelesTrak, Space-Track, and GCAT, provided under CC BY-NC 4.0.