HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesGiotto
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Giotto

Re-entered 4 Jul 1985

Giotto (NORAD 15875, COSPAR 1985-056A) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jul 1985, launched on 2 Jul 1985 on the Giotto mission. It was operated by ESA as part of the ESA Plan programme. The spacecraft was built by BAES on the ESA Geos bus, with a mass of 545 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.

1985
launched
1985
re-entered
0
years on orbit
545
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Jul 1985 · on the Giotto mission
Operational23 Jul 1992 · entered service
Retired23 Jul 1992 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Jul 1985 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15875
COSPAR1985-056A
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerBAES
BusESA Geos
Mass545 kg (476 kg dry)
ProgrammeESA Plan
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (GTO)
Altitude202 × 35,807 km
Inclination7.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Giotto?

Giotto re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jul 1985, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1985. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Giotto re-enter the atmosphere?

Giotto re-entered on 4 Jul 1985, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Giotto?

Giotto was operated by ESA and built by BAES (I-ESA).

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