Canister Cluster

Re-entered 1 Mar 1988

Canister Cluster (NORAD 18847, COSPAR 1988-008A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Mar 1988, launched on 8 Feb 1988 on the Canister Cluster mission. It was operated by SDIO as part of the SDIO Delta programme. The spacecraft was built by APL on the SDIO Delta 181 bus, with a mass of 150 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.

1988

launched

1988

re-entered

years on orbit

150

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Feb 1988 · on the Canister Cluster mission

Operational9 Feb 1988 · entered service

Retired9 Feb 1988 · end of operational service

Re-entered1 Mar 1988 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID18847

COSPAR1988-008A

TypeSatellite

OperatorSDIO

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerAPL

BusSDIO Delta 181

Mass150 kg

ProgrammeSDIO Delta

CategoryTECH

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude218 × 319 km

Inclination28.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Canister Cluster?

Canister Cluster re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Mar 1988, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1988. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Canister Cluster re-enter the atmosphere?

Canister Cluster re-entered on 1 Mar 1988, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Canister Cluster?

Canister Cluster was operated by SDIO and built by APL (US).

Launched together

Thrusted V. Sensor ModuleRe-entered 1988 Delta 181 SP2Re-entered 1988 Sensor Calib. Ref. Sat.Re-entered 1988

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Canister Cluster → What is space debris? →