It was discovered by Russian astronomer Tamara Smirnova at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Nauchnyj on 2 November 1975, and named after French aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
[7]: 23 The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.7–3.3 AU once every 5 years and 2 months (1,900 days).
[4] Based on its absolute magnitude of 11.5, its generic diameter is between 13 and 30 kilometers, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25.
[1][8] The minor planet was named in honour of French aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900–1944).
[2] In the book, the prince's asteroid also has a unique code: B612 (which does not match this minor planet's provisional designation).