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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ISEE C

Re-entered 13 Aug 1978

ISEE C (NORAD 11004, COSPAR 1978-079A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Aug 1978, launched on 12 Aug 1978 on the ISEE C mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the DeltaEx programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC/FAIR on the IMP bus, with a mass of 479 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.

1978
launched
1978
re-entered
0
years on orbit
479
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Aug 1978 · on the ISEE C mission
Operational5 May 1997 · entered service
Retired17 Aug 2014 · end of operational service
Re-entered13 Aug 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11004
COSPAR1978-079A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC/FAIR
BusIMP
Mass479 kg (389 kg dry)
ProgrammeDeltaEx
CategoryPLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude180 × 1,151,164 km
Inclination28.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ISEE C?

ISEE C re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Aug 1978, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1978. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did ISEE C re-enter the atmosphere?

ISEE C re-entered on 13 Aug 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was ISEE C operational?

ISEE C was operational for roughly 17 years, from 5 May 1997 to 17 Aug 2014.

Who operated and built ISEE C?

ISEE C was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC/FAIR (US).

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