HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesSensor Calib. Ref. Sat.
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Sensor Calib. Ref. Sat.

Re-entered 13 Feb 1988

Sensor Calib. Ref. Sat. (NORAD 18854, COSPAR 1988-008D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Feb 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 20 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
20
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Feb 1988 · on the Canister Cluster mission
Operational9 Feb 1988 · entered service
Retired9 Feb 1988 · end of operational service
Re-entered13 Feb 1988 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID18854
COSPAR1988-008D
TypeSatellite
OperatorSDIO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAPL
BusSDIO Delta 181
Mass20 kg
ProgrammeSDIO SS
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude172 × 286 km
Inclination28.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Sensor Calib. Ref. Sat.?

Sensor Calib. Ref. Sat. re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Feb 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 Sensor Calib. Ref. Sat. re-enter the atmosphere?

Sensor Calib. Ref. Sat. re-entered on 13 Feb 1988, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Sensor Calib. Ref. Sat.?

Sensor Calib. Ref. Sat. was operated by SDIO and built by APL (US).

Launched together

Canister ClusterRe-entered 1988Thrusted V. Sensor ModuleRe-entered 1988Delta 181 SP2Re-entered 1988
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.