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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ASTRO-A

Re-entered 11 Jul 1991

ASTRO-A (NORAD 12307, COSPAR 1981-017A) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Jul 1991, launched on 21 Feb 1981 on the ASTRO-A mission. It was operated by ISAS as part of the ASTRO programme. The spacecraft was built by ISAS on the ASTRO bus, with a mass of 188 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.

1981
launched
1991
re-entered
10
years on orbit
188
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Feb 1981 · on the ASTRO-A mission
Operational1 Jun 1982 · entered service
Retired1 Jun 1982 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Jul 1991 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12307
COSPAR1981-017A
TypeSatellite
OperatorISAS
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerISAS
BusASTRO
Mass188 kg
ProgrammeASTRO
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude571 × 636 km
Inclination31.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ASTRO-A?

ASTRO-A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Jul 1991, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1981. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did ASTRO-A re-enter the atmosphere?

ASTRO-A re-entered on 11 Jul 1991, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ASTRO-A?

ASTRO-A 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.