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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ASTRO-B

Re-entered 17 Dec 1988

ASTRO-B (NORAD 13829, COSPAR 1983-011A) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Dec 1988, launched on 20 Feb 1983 on the ASTRO-B mission. It was operated by ISASM as part of the ASTRO programme. The spacecraft was built by ISASM on the ASTRO bus, with a mass of 218 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.

1983
launched
1988
re-entered
5
years on orbit
218
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Feb 1983 · on the ASTRO-B mission
Operational22 Nov 1985 · entered service
Retired22 Nov 1985 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Dec 1988 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID13829
COSPAR1983-011A
TypeSatellite
OperatorISASM
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerISASM
BusASTRO
Mass218 kg
ProgrammeASTRO
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude488 × 501 km
Inclination31.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ASTRO-B?

ASTRO-B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Dec 1988, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1983. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did ASTRO-B re-enter the atmosphere?

ASTRO-B re-entered on 17 Dec 1988, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ASTRO-B?

ASTRO-B was operated by ISASM and built by ISASM (J).

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