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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

LACE

Re-entered 24 May 2000

LACE (NORAD 20496, COSPAR 1990-015A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 May 2000, launched on 14 Feb 1990 on the LACE mission. It was operated by SDIO as part of the SDIO Delta programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the LACE bus, with a mass of 1,440 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
2000
re-entered
10
years on orbit
1,440
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Feb 1990 · on the LACE mission
Operational14 Feb 1993 · entered service
Retired14 Feb 1993 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 May 2000 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20496
COSPAR1990-015A
TypeSatellite
OperatorSDIO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusLACE
Mass1,440 kg
ProgrammeSDIO Delta
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude528 × 544 km
Inclination43.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to LACE?

LACE re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 May 2000, 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 LACE re-enter the atmosphere?

LACE re-entered on 24 May 2000, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built LACE?

LACE was operated by SDIO and built by NRL (US).

Launched together

RMERe-entered 1992
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.