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MUSES-A Subsatellite

Re-entered 25 Jan 1990

MUSES-A Subsatellite (NORAD 20618, COSPAR 1990-007B) 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 SS bus, with a mass of 8 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
0
years on orbit
8
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Jan 1990 · on the MUSES-A mission
Operational18 Mar 1990 · entered service
Retired18 Mar 1990 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Jan 1990 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20618
COSPAR1990-007B
TypeSatellite
OperatorISASS
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerNEC
BusMUSES SS
Mass8 kg
ProgrammeMUSES
CategoryPLAN

Frequently asked questions

What happened to MUSES-A Subsatellite?

MUSES-A Subsatellite 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 Subsatellite re-enter the atmosphere?

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

Who operated and built MUSES-A Subsatellite?

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

Launched together

MUSES-ARe-entered 1990
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.