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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

MS-T4

Re-entered 12 May 1983

MS-T4 (NORAD 11706, COSPAR 1980-015A) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 May 1983, launched on 17 Feb 1980 on the MS-T4 mission. It was operated by ISAS as part of the Tansei programme. The spacecraft was built by ISAS on the MS-T bus, with a mass of 185 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.

1980
launched
1983
re-entered
3
years on orbit
185
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Feb 1980 · on the MS-T4 mission
Operational12 May 1983 · entered service
Retired12 May 1983 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 May 1983 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11706
COSPAR1980-015A
TypeSatellite
OperatorISAS
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerISAS
BusMS-T
Mass185 kg
ProgrammeTansei
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude517 × 600 km
Inclination38.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to MS-T4?

MS-T4 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 May 1983, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1980. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did MS-T4 re-enter the atmosphere?

MS-T4 re-entered on 12 May 1983, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built MS-T4?

MS-T4 was operated by ISAS and built by ISAS (J).

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