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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

UK 6

Re-entered 23 Sep 1990

UK 6 (NORAD 11382, COSPAR 1979-047A) was a UK satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Sep 1990, launched on 2 Jun 1979 on the Ariel 6 mission. It was operated by SRC as part of the UK programme. The spacecraft was built by MARCO on the UK 6 bus, with a mass of 154 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.

1979
launched
1990
re-entered
11
years on orbit
154
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Jun 1979 · on the Ariel 6 mission
Operational24 Feb 1982 · entered service
Retired24 Feb 1982 · end of operational service
Re-entered23 Sep 1990 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11382
COSPAR1979-047A
TypeSatellite
OperatorSRC
Country / StateUK
ManufacturerMARCO
BusUK 6
Mass154 kg
ProgrammeUK
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude599 × 653 km
Inclination55.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to UK 6?

UK 6 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Sep 1990, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1979. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did UK 6 re-enter the atmosphere?

UK 6 re-entered on 23 Sep 1990, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built UK 6?

UK 6 was operated by SRC and built by MARCO (UK).

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