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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

RME

Re-entered 24 May 1992

RME (NORAD 20497, COSPAR 1990-015B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 May 1992, 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 BALL on the RME bus, with a mass of 1,000 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
1992
re-entered
2
years on orbit
1,000
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Feb 1990 · on the LACE mission
Operational1 Apr 1991 · entered service
Retired1 Apr 1991 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 May 1992 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20497
COSPAR1990-015B
TypeSatellite
OperatorSDIO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBALL
BusRME
Mass1,000 kg
ProgrammeSDIO Delta
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude450 × 470 km
Inclination43.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to RME?

RME re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 May 1992, 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 RME re-enter the atmosphere?

RME re-entered on 24 May 1992, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built RME?

RME was operated by SDIO and built by BALL (US).

Launched together

LACERe-entered 2000
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.