MUSES-A

Re-entered 25 Jan 1990

MUSES-A (NORAD 20448, COSPAR 1990-007A) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jan 1990, launched on 24 Jan 1990 on the MUSES-A mission. It was operated by ISASS as part of the MUSES programme. The spacecraft was built by NEC on the MUSES-A bus, with a mass of 185 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.

1990

launched

1990

re-entered

years on orbit

185

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Jan 1990 · on the MUSES-A mission

Operational10 Apr 1993 · entered service

Retired10 Apr 1993 · end of operational service

Re-entered25 Jan 1990 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20448

COSPAR1990-007A

TypeSatellite

OperatorISASS

Country / StateJ

ManufacturerNEC

BusMUSES-A

Mass185 kg (143 kg dry)

ProgrammeMUSES

CategoryPLAN

OrbitBEO (CLO)

Altitude400 × 409,000 km

Inclination30.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to MUSES-A?

MUSES-A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jan 1990, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1990. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did MUSES-A re-enter the atmosphere?

MUSES-A re-entered on 25 Jan 1990, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built MUSES-A?

MUSES-A was operated by ISASS and built by NEC (J).

Launched together

MUSES-A SubsatelliteRe-entered 1990

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: MUSES-A → What is space debris? →