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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ISEE B

Re-entered 26 Sep 1987

ISEE B (NORAD 10423, COSPAR 1977-102B) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Sep 1987, launched on 22 Oct 1977 on the ISEE A mission. It was operated by ESA as part of the ESA ISEE programme. The spacecraft was built by DORN on the ISEE-DTR bus, with a mass of 165 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.

1977
launched
1987
re-entered
10
years on orbit
165
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Oct 1977 · on the ISEE A mission
Operational26 Sep 1987 · entered service
Retired26 Sep 1987 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Sep 1987 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID10423
COSPAR1977-102B
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerDORN
BusISEE-DTR
Mass165 kg (154 kg dry)
ProgrammeESA ISEE
CategorySCI
Orbit (VHEO)
Altitude780 × 137,511 km
Inclination30.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ISEE B?

ISEE B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Sep 1987, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1977. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did ISEE B re-enter the atmosphere?

ISEE B re-entered on 26 Sep 1987, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ISEE B?

ISEE B was operated by ESA and built by DORN (I-ESA).

Launched together

ISEE ARe-entered 1987
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.