SPAS Satellite Bus

Data current as of 2026-07-20.

The SPAS bus accounts for 3 cataloged objects, of which 0 are in orbit and 0 are active. 3 have reentered. Most are built by DASAO. The largest operator on this bus is DLR. The first launched in 1983, the most recent in 1996.

0
In orbit
0
Active
3
Total launched
3
Reentered

SPAS launched per year

1 1983: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1984: 0 objects launched 1985: 0 objects launched 1986: 0 objects launched 1987: 0 objects launched 1988: 0 objects launched 1989: 0 objects launched 1990: 0 objects launched 1991: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1992: 0 objects launched 1993: 0 objects launched 1994: 0 objects launched 1995: 0 objects launched 1996: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995
Still in orbit Since reentered Click a year to list its satellites.

Typical specifications

Most common values across cataloged SPAS satellites.

Manufacturer DASAO
Purpose SDI experiments, retrievable satellite
Launch mass 1448 kg
Dry mass 1448 kg
Length 4.8 m
Diameter 1.5 m
Span 4.8 m
Shape Box + Cyl
Power Batteries
Equipment FUV-Spectrometer, EUV-Spectrometer, IMAPS

Top operators

DLR 1 MBB 1 SDIO 1

Top countries

D 2 US 1

SPAS satellites

Track any of them live in KeepTrack.

Name NORAD COSPAR Owner Launched Orbit Status Track
ORFEUS-SPAS ORFEUS-SPAS 24661 1996-065B DLR Nov 19, 1996 92 min, 28.5° Reentered
IBSS IBSS/SPAS 21244 1991-031B SDIO May 1, 1991 89 min, 57.0° Reentered
SPAS 1 SPAS 1 14142 1983-059F MBB Jun 22, 1983 90 min, 28.5° Reentered

Frequently asked questions

How many SPAS satellites are there?

The catalog lists 3 objects built on the SPAS bus. 0 are in orbit and 3 have reentered.

How many SPAS satellites are in orbit?

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

Who builds the SPAS bus?

The SPAS bus is most commonly built by DASAO.

When did the first SPAS satellite launch?

The first cataloged SPAS satellite launched in 1983, and the most recent in 1996.

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