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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Galileo

Re-entered 19 Oct 1989

Galileo (NORAD 20298, COSPAR 1989-084B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Oct 1989, launched on 18 Oct 1989 on the OV-104 IUS deploy mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Galileo J programme. The spacecraft was built by JPL on the Galileo bus, with a mass of 2,304 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.

1989
launched
1989
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,304
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Oct 1989 · on the OV-104 IUS deploy mission
Operational21 Sep 2003 · entered service
Retired21 Sep 2003 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Oct 1989 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20298
COSPAR1989-084B
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerJPL
BusGalileo
Mass2,304 kg (1,297 kg dry)
ProgrammeGalileo J
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude438 × -64,884 km
Inclination34.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Galileo?

Galileo re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Oct 1989, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1989. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Galileo re-enter the atmosphere?

Galileo re-entered on 19 Oct 1989, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Galileo?

Galileo was operated by JPL and built by JPL (US).

Launched together

OV-104Re-entered 1989
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: OV-104 IUS deploy → What is space debris? →