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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Exosat

Re-entered 27 May 1983

Exosat (NORAD 14095, COSPAR 1983-051A) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 May 1983, launched on 26 May 1983 on the Exosat mission. It was operated by ESA as part of the ESA Ast programme. The spacecraft was built by MBB/COSM on the Exosat bus, with a mass of 510 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
1983
re-entered
0
years on orbit
510
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 May 1983 · on the Exosat mission
Operational9 Apr 1986 · entered service
Retired9 Apr 1986 · end of operational service
Re-entered27 May 1983 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID14095
COSPAR1983-051A
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerMBB/COSM
BusExosat
Mass510 kg (490 kg dry)
ProgrammeESA Ast
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (DSO)
Altitude584 × 191,510 km
Inclination72.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Exosat?

Exosat re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 May 1983, 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 Exosat re-enter the atmosphere?

Exosat re-entered on 27 May 1983, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Exosat?

Exosat was operated by ESA and built by MBB/COSM (I-ESA).

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