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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CAT 01

Re-entered 27 Nov 1989

CAT 01 (NORAD 11645, COSPAR 1979-104A) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Nov 1989, launched on 24 Dec 1979 on the CAT mission. It was operated by ESA as part of the CAT programme. The spacecraft was built by AERIT/CNEST on the CAT bus, with a mass of 1,602 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
1989
re-entered
10
years on orbit
1,602
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Dec 1979 · on the CAT mission
Operational27 Dec 1979 · entered service
Retired27 Dec 1979 · end of operational service
Re-entered27 Nov 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11645
COSPAR1979-104A
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerAERIT/CNEST
BusCAT
Mass1,602 kg
ProgrammeCAT
CategoryTECH
OrbitHEO (GTO)
Altitude182 × 35,824 km
Inclination17.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CAT 01?

CAT 01 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Nov 1989, 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 CAT 01 re-enter the atmosphere?

CAT 01 re-entered on 27 Nov 1989, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CAT 01?

CAT 01 was operated by ESA and built by AERIT/CNEST (I-ESA).

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