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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Delta 181 SP2

Re-entered 5 Mar 1988

Delta 181 SP2 (NORAD 18849, COSPAR 1988-008C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Mar 1988, launched on 8 Feb 1988 on the Canister Cluster mission. It was operated by SDIO as part of the SDIO SS programme. The spacecraft was built by APL on the SDIO Delta 181 bus, with a mass of 50 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
0
years on orbit
50
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Feb 1988 · on the Canister Cluster mission
Operational9 Feb 1988 · entered service
Retired9 Feb 1988 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Mar 1988 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID18849
COSPAR1988-008C
TypeSatellite
OperatorSDIO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAPL
BusSDIO Delta 181
Mass50 kg
ProgrammeSDIO SS
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude232 × 321 km
Inclination28.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Delta 181 SP2?

Delta 181 SP2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 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 Delta 181 SP2 re-enter the atmosphere?

Delta 181 SP2 re-entered on 5 Mar 1988, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Delta 181 SP2?

Delta 181 SP2 was operated by SDIO and built by APL (US).

Launched together

Canister ClusterRe-entered 1988Thrusted V. Sensor ModuleRe-entered 1988Sensor Calib. Ref. Sat.Re-entered 1988
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.