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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Ulysses

Re-entered 6 Oct 1990

Ulysses (NORAD 20842, COSPAR 1990-090B) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Oct 1990, launched on 6 Oct 1990 on the OV-103 IUS deploy mission. It was operated by ESA as part of the ESA Plan programme. The spacecraft was built by DASAF on the ULS bus, with a mass of 367 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
367
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Oct 1990 · on the OV-103 IUS deploy mission
Operational1 Jul 2008 · entered service
Retired30 Jun 2009 · end of operational service
Re-entered6 Oct 1990 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID20842
COSPAR1990-090B
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerDASAF
BusULS
Mass367 kg (333 kg dry)
ProgrammeESA Plan
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude310 × -19,204 km
Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Ulysses?

Ulysses re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Oct 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 Ulysses re-enter the atmosphere?

Ulysses re-entered on 6 Oct 1990, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was Ulysses operational?

Ulysses was operational for roughly 12 months, from 1 Jul 2008 to 30 Jun 2009.

Who operated and built Ulysses?

Ulysses was operated by ESA and built by DASAF (I-ESA).

Launched together

OV-103Re-entered 1990
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.