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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Jikiken

Re-entered 22 Apr 2018

Jikiken (NORAD 11027, COSPAR 1978-087A) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Apr 2018, launched on 16 Sep 1978 on the EXOS-B mission. It is catalogued as EXOS-B. It was operated by ISAS as part of the EXOS programme. The spacecraft was built by ISAS on the EXOS-B bus, with a mass of 90 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
2018
re-entered
40
years on orbit
90
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Sep 1978 · on the EXOS-B mission
Operational1 Jan 1985 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1985 · end of operational service
Re-entered22 Apr 2018 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11027
COSPAR1978-087A
TypeSatellite
OperatorISAS
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerISAS
BusEXOS-B
Mass90 kg
ProgrammeEXOS
CategorySCI
OrbitHEO (HEO)
Altitude249 × 28,876 km
Inclination31.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Jikiken?

Jikiken re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 Apr 2018, 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 Jikiken re-enter the atmosphere?

Jikiken re-entered on 22 Apr 2018, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Jikiken?

Jikiken was operated by ISAS and built by ISAS (J).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-10-05.
Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: EXOS-B → What is space debris? →